Pharma Under Fire in Texas

A number of recent events have brought renewed scrutiny to the pharmaceutical industry, threatening fines and increased regulation. This posting explores these events and perhaps a more balanced view of responsibility for the opioid epidemic. The posting also provides an overview of President Trump’s recent proposal to curb drug industry prices. On Tuesday of last week, Texas announced its plan to join many other states, including Nevada, North Dakota, Florida and Tennessee - not to mention several Texas counties - in suing pharmaceutical manufacturers for the opioid crisis and costs associated with it. Texas will file suit under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, alleging that marketing practices misrepresented the abuse potential of opioids. Announcement of the suit follows the investigation the state undertook beginning in September of 2017 into firms selling or manufacturing opioids for any illegalities surrounding the crisis. Settlement funds are to be used to fund substance