COUNTY IS SUING

BIG PHARMA OVER

HEROIN EPIDEMIC

By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com

COOPERSTOWN – The County of Otsego moved today to recoup some of the costs of fighting the heroin epidemic.

At its April meeting this morning, the Board of Representatives hired the law firm of Napoli Shkolnik, based in New York City but with offices across the country, to sue Big Pharma companies whose practices contributed to the spread of the deadly drug locally.

The resolution passed unanimously this morning says County Attorney Ellen Coccoma recommended the county sue pharmaceutical companies and distributors “who engaged and financially benefitted from … conduct meant to mislead doctors.”

The conduct being challenge led to over-prescription of “opioid medications” that increased emergency room admissions, overdoses, Medicaid costs and law enforcement costs.

The agreement contracts with Napoli Shkolnik on a contingency basis, meaning if the lawyers win any settlement, they take a cut; there is no out-of-pocket cost to the county.

According to www.napolilaw.com, the law firm is already representing Nassau and Niagara counties in New York State, as well as Dayton, Ohio; Manchester, N.H., and Parma, Ohio.