The Chicago Tribune reports that its namesake city is suing pain medication manufacturers, claiming that the defendants, which include Actavis, Endo Health and Purdue Pharma, concealed health risks associated with their prescription pain killers. The Tribune says the lawsuit also accuses the companies of “knowingly and aggressively” marketing opioid medications as having a low addiction risk and touting benefits the city says “lacked scientific support.”
The Trib notes that this lawsuit is similar to one two California counties lodged last month.
Chicago wants around $9.5 million in damages it says are associated with 400,000 prescriptions filled since 2008, in addition to civil penalties, attorney and court fees.
