Don’t make us ‘scapegoats,’ drug distributors say

The pharmaceutical wholesale distributors’ role in the opioid crisis has been vastly overstated, according to the national trade association representing distributors who were sued this week over the drug epidemic.

Lake County government filed a 258-page lawsuit in Lake County Common Pleas Court accusing 25 opioid manufacturers, wholesale distributors and “pill mill” doctors of putting profits above residents’ health.

The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages for alleged violation of consumer sales practices, deceptive trade practices, public nuisance, fraud, unjust enrichment, negligence and negligent marketing. They are also suing for violations of the Ohio Corrupt Practices Act and injury through criminal acts.

However, officials with the Healthcare Distribution Alliance, representing distributors including McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen, claim the allegations in the suit are unfair.

“As distributors, we understand the tragic impact the opioid epidemic has on communities across the country,” said John Parker, senior vice president of Healthcare Distribution Alliance.

“We are deeply engaged in the issue and are taking our own steps to be part of the solution — but we aren’t willing to be scapegoats.

“Distributors are logistics companies that arrange for the sale and secure storage, transport and delivery of medicines from manufacturers to pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and others based on prescriptions from licensed physicians. We don’t make medicines, market medicines, prescribe medicines or dispense them to consumers. Given our role, the idea that distributors are solely responsible for the number of opioid prescriptions written defies common sense and lacks understanding of how the pharmaceutical supply chain actually works and how it is regulated.”

Parker added that the trade group hopes to work with political leaders and others to find forwardlooking solutions to solve the complex problem of opiate addiction.

The lawsuit is pending before Judge Vincent A. Culotta.

The attorneys hired by Lake County have filed similar suits in other nearby counties including Cuyahoga and Ashtabula.