One local city is taking pharmaceutical companies to court over the opioid epidemic.
This week, the Delray Beach City Commission voted unanimously to move forward with a plan to hire the national law firm of Robbins, Geller, Rudman and Dowd. Partner Mark Dearman tells us that the drug makers and distributors paid some doctors to persuade their peers that drugs like Oxycodone were not just suitable for "end-stage" cancer patients, but also safe to prescribe to patients who may be dealing with longterm issues.
There have been new laws to crackdown on the abuses carried out by sober homes, of which Delray Beach has many, but Dearman says the drug companies violated a number of laws.
Also, while many of the more than 60 fatal overdoses in Delray last year were related to heroin, Dearman says the epidemic stemmed from prescription drugs.
The national law firm already represents other cities around the country, including Chicago, in similar lawsuits against drug companies.
In addition to the emotional aspect of this story, there is a big cost to taxpayers and we'll hear from Delray Beach Mayor Cary Glickstein on Friday's Morning Rush.
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