Double Dipping in Opioid Lawsuits

null By The Editorial BoardJan. 1, 2024 5:45 pm ETJournal Editorial Report: Medicare's "negotiation" with pharmaceutical companies will slow the development of new cures. Images: AP/Reuters Composite: Mark KellyThe plaintiffs bar never met a business it wouldn’t sue, and now the lawyers are using government authority to pursue private interests. In their latest business model, trial lawyers are hired by state attorneys general to help prosecute public lawsuits then use it to the advantage of their private lawsuits. Kudos to one company for pushing back. In December pharmacy benefit manager OptumRx filed a motion in federal court in Ohio to disqualify Motley Rice, a South Carolina plaintiffs firm suing the company in multidistrict opioid litigation. Motley has been retained by state attorneys general and city prosecutors in Washington, D.C., Hawaii and Chicago to handle the government’s litigation, but it continues to represent private clients in related litigation.Copyright ©2024 Dow

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The Editorial Board

Jan. 1, 2024 5:45 pm ET

Journal Editorial Report: Medicare's "negotiation" with pharmaceutical companies will slow the development of new cures. Images: AP/Reuters Composite: Mark Kelly

The plaintiffs bar never met a business it wouldn’t sue, and now the lawyers are using government authority to pursue private interests. In their latest business model, trial lawyers are hired by state attorneys general to help prosecute public lawsuits then use it to the advantage of their private lawsuits. Kudos to one company for pushing back.

In December pharmacy benefit manager OptumRx filed a motion in federal court in Ohio to disqualify Motley Rice, a South Carolina plaintiffs firm suing the company in multidistrict opioid litigation. Motley has been retained by state attorneys general and city prosecutors in Washington, D.C., Hawaii and Chicago to handle the government’s litigation, but it continues to represent private clients in related litigation.