Nevada attorney general sues opioid manufacturer

Nevada Attorney General Adam

Laxalt announced a lawsuit Tuesday against pharmaceutical company Purdue Pharma.

The lawsuit, filed by the attorney general’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said the company, known for its production of the brand-name oxycodone medication Oxycontin, understated the risks associated with opioid use while allegedly exaggerating the benefits, a release from Laxalt’s office said.

The 61-page complaint also said the pharmaceutical company allegedly trained sales staff to downplay the risk of addiction, funded the research of field experts who led talks with health care professionals on opioid prescribing, told patients that long-term use would help them resume daily activities and distorted data on Oxycontin’s 12-hour efficacy.

“While at this time, Nevada has only filed against Purdue, it is continuing to investigate other opioid manufacturers and distributors with the larger opioids multistate group,” Laxalt’s office said.

The North Las Vegas City Council, Clark County Commission and Reno

City Council voted separately this year to sue pharmaceutical companies for their roles in the national and statewide opioid epidemic. The city of Las Vegas is considering similar action. driven by 30-year-old Jose Ernesto Pineda Lopez, collided with a Nissan Altima that was stopped at a red light in the right lane of Boulder Highway at Lamb Boulevard.

Lopez was ejected from his vehicle and died at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center of multiple blunt-force injuries. The coroner ruled his death an accident.

Traffic investigators determined that Lopez was speeding when he struck the rear passenger side of the Nissan. according to the coroner. He was 46.

Las Vegas police were called about 4:50 p.m. Sunday to 3055 Fremont St. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the man’s death.