Michael P. Canty sheds light on the burden born by the opioid epidemic in New Jersey

In an article discussing a recent lawsuit accusing 16 companies, including Purdue Pharma, Teva, Johnson & Johnson, Endo, and Insys Therapeutics, of racketeering, creating a public nuisance, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, gross negligence, and unjust enrichment, Firm partner Michael P. Canty spoke to the widespread burden resulting from the opioid crisis.

Canty, a former federal prosecutor who currently advises states on potential opioid litigation for the New York firm Labaton Sucharow LLP, said the 3 million-pill spike in 2011 should have raised alarm bells. Under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, distributors have an obligation to track shipments, flag suspicious orders, and hold them, he said.

“Everybody bears responsibility, from the drug makers to the distributors to the doctors,” Canty said. “Ultimately, states, cities, and municipalities are seeing the devastating effects that opioids are having on their communities while manufacturers and distributors were reaping record profits. And now, taxpayers are footing the bill for the law enforcement and legal costs.”