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Alabama AG On Why The State Is Suing OxyContin Maker Purdue Pharma

In this photo taken Feb. 9, 2017, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall sits for a portrait in Montgomery, Ala. (Brynn Anderson/AP)
In this photo taken Feb. 9, 2017, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall sits for a portrait in Montgomery, Ala. (Brynn Anderson/AP)

Alabama is the latest state to sue Purdue Pharma LP over the opioid crisis. Attorney General Steve Marshall alleges in a new lawsuit that the maker of OxyContin fueled a public health crisis with deceptive marketing practices.

Here & Now‘s Jeremy Hobson speaks with Marshall (@AGSteveMarshall), the attorney general of Alabama.


Purdue Pharma declined Here & Now‘s request for an on-air interview and issued the following statement:

“We are deeply troubled by the opioid crisis and we are dedicated to being part of the solution. As a company grounded in science, we must balance patient access to FDA-approved medicines, while working collaboratively to solve this public health challenge. Although our products account for approximately 2% of the total opioid prescriptions, as a company, we’ve distributed the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain, developed the first FDA-approved opioid medication with abuse-deterrent properties and partnered with law enforcement to ensure access to naloxone. We vigorously deny these allegations and look forward to the opportunity to present our defense.”

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