As Opioid Deaths Climb, Tennessee Joins OxyContin Suit

NASHVILLE, TN -- Overdose deaths in Davidson County alone have nearly tripled in the last six years, forcing the medical examiner to add another pathologist and purchase more body coolers.

Nashville isn't the only place dealing with increased costs because of opioid overdoses, particularly in Tennessee, one of the hardest hit states in the rising opioid crisis.

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State Attorney General Herbert Slatery announced Tuesday that Tennessee is suing Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of OxyContin, for violating a 2007 settlement with the state, alleging Purdue "knew patients were dying from overdoses and that its drugs were being illegally sold to non-patients."

Tennessee joined Nevada, Texas, North Carolina, Florida and North Dakota in filing deceptive trade practice suits against the Connecticut-based pharmaceutical company.

Slatery filed Tennessee's suit in Knoxville under seal to protect confidential information the company provided during an investigation.

The attorney-general is leading a 40-state group examining opioid manufacturers and distributors.

Through a spokesman, Purdue denied the claims and said it will defend itself. The company said it has been in negotiations with states to fight the opioid crises.

The settlement Slatery mentioned paid $19.5 million to 26 states, including Tennessee, and the District of Columbia. The company was accused of aggressively marketing OxyContin while underselling its addiction risk. As part of the settle, Purdue did not admit wrongdoing.

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