Tacoma latest to sue manufacturers of opioids

The drugmaker says it is committed to working together to find solutions.

Associated Press

TACOMA — The city of Tacoma has sued three manufacturers of prescription opioids seeking to hold them accountable for problems related to opioid addiction.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court in Tacoma alleges that Purdue Pharma, Endo and Janssen made false and misleading statements about the benefits and risks of opioids to doctors and patients over the past two decades.

City Manager Elizabeth Pauli says the city wants to hold the opioid manufacturers liable for the harms they have inflicted on the community as well as financial burden to taxpayers.

Tacoma joins other cities and states in suing drug manufacturers for their alleged role in the opioid epidemic.

In a statement, Purdue vigorously denied the allegations. It said it shared public officials’ concerns about the opioid crisis and was committed to working together to find solutions.

Messages left with Endo and Janssen were not immediately returned.

In January, Everett filed a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma, alleging the company knew it was supplying drug traffickers and flooding the black market with OxyContin.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Northwest

WA State Supreme Court upholds ban on high-capacity ammo magazine sales

Firearm magazines that hold more than 10 rounds will remain outlawed under a 2022 law that a gun shop challenged as unconstitutional.

Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / Washington State Standard The Washington state Capitol on April 18.
Why police accountability efforts failed again in the Washington Legislature

Much like last year, advocates saw their agenda falter in the latest session.

Heavy rain eroded part of Upper Hoh Road, closing it in December. (Photo courtesy of Jefferson County) Heavy rain eroded part of Upper Hoh Road, closing it in December. (Photo courtesy of Jefferson County)
Hoh Rain Forest road to reopen after state assistance to repair washout

With the help of over $600,000 in state money, the sole access… Continue reading

A couple walks around Harborview Park as the Seaspan Brilliance, a 1,105-foot cargo ship, moors near the Port of Everett on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 in Everett, Washington. The ship is moored until it can offload its cargo in Vancouver, B.C. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
WA ports await sharp drop in cargo as Trump’s tariff battle with China drags on

Shippers trying to get ahead of the import taxes drove a recent surge, officials say.

A person turns in their ballot at a ballot box located near the Edmonds Library in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Decision on investing WA Cares tax dollars in stock market goes to ballot

A proposed constitutional amendment would let assets, which exceed $1.6B, be invested much like the state’s pension funds. Voters rejected the idea in 2020.

Photo courtesy of Legislative Support Services Gov. Bob Ferguson speaks to lawmakers and other officials at the state Capitol on Jan. 15 during his inaugural address. Throughout the legislative session, Ferguson indicated he would support legislation to cap rent increases, but he never voiced public support for the bill.
Behind the scenes, Ferguson backed bill to cap rent increases for months

The governor finally voiced support publicly for the legislation on Wednesday after a lawmaker shared information about his views.

Members of the Washington Public Employees Association will go without a wage hike for a year. They turned down a contract last fall. They eventually ratified a new deal in March, lawmakers chose not to fund it in the budget. (Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)
Thousands of Washington state workers lose out on wage hikes

They rejected a new contract last fall. They approved one in recent weeks, but lawmakers said it arrived too late to be funded in the budget.

A few significant tax bills form the financial linchpin to the state’s next budget and would generate the revenue needed to erase a chunk of a shortfall Ferguson has pegged at $16 billion over the next four fiscal years. The tax package is expected to net around $9.4 billion over that time. (Stock photo)
Five tax bills lawmakers passed to underpin Washington’s next state budget

Business tax hikes make up more than half of the roughly $9 billion package, which still needs a sign-off from Gov. Bob Ferguson.

Lawmakers on the Senate floor ahead of adjourning on April 27, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Washington lawmakers close out session, sending budgets to governor

Their plans combine cuts with billions in new taxes to solve a shortfall. It’ll now be up to Gov. Bob Ferguson to decide what will become law.

The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
WA lawmakers shift approach on closing center for people with disabilities

A highly contested bill around the closure of a residential center for… Continue reading

SciTechDaily.com New research on the Cascadia Subduction Zone shows it has a segmented fault structure, impacting earthquake predictions and preparedness strategies, potentially affecting building codes in vulnerable areas like Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.
A big Pacific Northwest quake could cause land to sink in minutes

and shaking… Continue reading

Trees and foliage grow at the Rockport State Park on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in Rockport, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Washington Legislature approves hiking Discover Pass price to $45

The price for a Washington state Discover Pass would rise by $15… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.