In a first-of-its-kind lawsuit, the town of Everett, Washington, is suing Purdue Pharma, saying the drugmaker failed to prevent or to inform authorities about illegal diversion of the addictive drug, OxyContin, to the black market in the 2000s.
The result, according to Everett officials, was an epidemic of opioid drug addiction and crime that continues to plague the city.
Purdue Pharma denies the claims, saying the federal Drug Enforcement Agency knew about the illegal sales and launched an investigation.
Hil Kaman is the director of public health and safety in Everett, and joins Here & Now‘s Robin Young to discuss the lawsuit.
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