Indivior Peddled Unapproved Opioid Fix, Lied to NY Officials

NEW YORK – Indivior, Inc., a multinational pharmaceutical behemoth, is reeling after New York Attorney General Letitia James slammed the brakes on their misleading marketing of Opvee, a generic nalmefene touted as an opioid overdose reversal drug. The AG’s office discovered Indivior actively pushed Opvee to public officials across New York State, falsely presenting it as a direct substitute for Narcan (naloxone) – the established, life-saving standard for overdose treatment – despite knowing it lacked proper authorization from the New York State Department of Health (DOH) for widespread, non-prescription use.

The scheme wasn’t about saving lives; it was about profits. While families are still reeling from the devastating opioid epidemic, Indivior attempted to capitalize on the crisis by positioning Opvee as a “better” alternative to Narcan, a claim the AG’s office found to be demonstrably false and dangerous. Health officials and advocates have repeatedly warned against swapping Opvee for Narcan, citing its similar efficacy but significantly harsher side effects. This isn’t a minor oversight; it’s a calculated gamble with the lives of vulnerable individuals already battling addiction.

“Indivior cannot rewrite its history and exploit this drug crisis for profit,” Attorney General James declared. “After playing a role in fueling the opioid epidemic, the company tried to position itself as part of the solution while misleading public officials and the communities they serve about which overdose treatments are safe, legal, and effective. Far too many families have lost loved ones to opioids and overdose, and my office will continue to do everything in its power to combat the devastating opioid crisis and keep New Yorkers safe.” The settlement mandates that Indivior refund taxpayer money spent on Opvee, recall improperly distributed doses, cease all false advertising, and overhaul its marketing and training protocols.

The DOH is standing firm on the issue. Commissioner Dr. James McDonald emphasized that the 4mg naloxone remains the most effective and reliable opioid overdose reversal medication, and is the only antagonist covered under the state’s standing order. “The Department of Health remains committed to following the science and working with our dedicated state and local partners to save lives and end overdose deaths,” he stated. The Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham echoed this sentiment, highlighting the distribution of over 355,000 free naloxone kits through their online portal and stressing the importance of consistent messaging around the proven effectiveness of naloxone.

This isn’t Indivior’s first brush with the law. The company previously coughed up $86 million in a settlement with Attorney General James and a coalition of other states for its role in the initial opioid epidemic. Now, they’re attempting to repackage themselves as a solution provider while simultaneously undermining the very measures designed to combat the crisis. The key difference? Opvee requires a prescription and is not authorized for use by first responders, community health workers or other non-medical personnel who are critical in overdose response. Indivior knowingly ignored this limitation, selling a product as a Narcan substitute when it wasn’t legally permitted to be used as such.

In a surprising turn, just two days after signing the agreement with the OAG, Indivior announced it would completely discontinue promotion of Opvee. Whether this is a genuine shift in strategy or a desperate attempt to mitigate further damage remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Attorney General James is sending a message to pharmaceutical companies that deceptive marketing practices, especially when they endanger public health, will not be tolerated. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and expose those who profit from human suffering.