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Legislator hopes Sullivan County will join in suing drug companies

Autumn Schanil - Staff Writer
Posted 2/21/17

MONTICELLO — One legislator's dream of taking drug manufacturers to court - to hold them accountable for the rampant use of narcotics - is coming true.

“Several years ago I kind of played …

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Legislator hopes Sullivan County will join in suing drug companies

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MONTICELLO — One legislator's dream of taking drug manufacturers to court - to hold them accountable for the rampant use of narcotics - is coming true.

“Several years ago I kind of played with the idea of the county actually suing the pharmaceutical companies in part for the opioid epidemic crisis,” stated Legislator Alan Sorensen. “At the time, there was skepticism as to whether the county should do that. There are several counties now in New York State that are pursuing that action.”

Sorensen proceeded to read a Buffalo News editorial, before fellow legislators and the public at Thursday's monthly Legislature meeting, titled “County is right to sue drug companies for their possible link to opioid crisis.”

The editorial promoted the idea that the companies “misled both doctors and the public” about the addictive nature of powerful painkillers, and although such drugs help people who are suffering in pain, they are cousins to heroin.

According to the editorial, Erie County is joining other counties in NY as well as around the country to hold pharmaceutical companies liable for the rising rash of opioid addictions.

Sorensen continued to read, “In September, Suffolk County, on Long Island, sued 11 drug companies and four physicians. Last week, Broome County, in the eastern Souther Tier, filed its own lawsuit.”

“I think this is something that Sullivan County should join in on,” urged Sorensen. “This is something that's never going to get started at the State Assembly, because well, they're all funded by the pharmaceutical companies. This is something that has to get started on the county level, because if it doesn't start with the counties, I don't think it's going to happen.”

Several legislators asked Sorensen if they could have a copy of the letter and expressed agreement that this is an issue worthy to be discussed further.

“I think this is important,” added County Attorney Cheryl McCausland. “Alan, let me research this more. Let me see what we can do.”

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