Opioid Probe

The opioid epidemic has been ravaging communities across the United States, and Pennsylvania has been at the forefront of the crisis. In 2016, the state saw 4,642 fatal drug overdoses, a 37 percent increase over the previous year. The main driver of these deaths has been opioids, both prescription and illicit.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro is working with a bipartisan coalition of Attorneys General from across the country to investigate the role that opioid manufacturers may have played in creating or prolonging this epidemic. The coalition is using its investigative tools, including subpoenas for documents and testimony, to determine the appropriate course of action to address the opioid epidemic.

The investigation is focused on determining whether manufacturers have engaged in unlawful practices in the marketing and sale of opioids. This includes looking into whether companies have misled doctors and patients about the risks and benefits of their products. The Attorneys General are also examining whether manufacturers have failed to report suspicious sales of their products, which could indicate diversion for illicit use.

According to Attorney General Shapiro, the investigation is going straight into the boardrooms of pharmaceutical companies. "The people peddling the drugs ripping apart our towns aren’t only on our street corners. Three out of four heroin users started by abusing prescription opioids, and our ongoing investigation is going straight into the boardrooms of pharmaceutical companies. We will follow the evidence to hold every person and every company responsible for this tragedy accountable on behalf of Pennsylvanians," he said.

The coalition of Attorneys General is not identifying any targets of its investigation at this time. However, the fact that they are working together and using their investigative tools to gather evidence suggests that they are taking a comprehensive approach to addressing the opioid epidemic. This could potentially lead to significant changes in the way that opioid manufacturers market and sell their products.

The opioid epidemic has had a devastating impact on communities across Pennsylvania. Families have been torn apart, and many people have lost loved ones to overdose. The investigation led by Attorney General Shapiro is a crucial step towards holding those responsible accountable and finding solutions to this crisis. As Attorney General Shapiro said, "I’ve seen the pain caused by this crisis and heard from families that have been torn apart. To everyone touched by this epidemic, who has felt the wave of overdose deaths and dealt with the pain of addiction in your family and in your town: we’re fighting back for you."

The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General has a dedicated team working on the opioid investigation. They can be reached at 717-787-5211 or by email at press@attorneygeneral.gov. The office is also providing resources and support to families and individuals affected by the opioid epidemic. For more information, visit their website at www.attorneygeneral.gov.

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