Opioid firms face US criminal liability

Significance

Prosecutors seek to expand the reach of a US statute previously applied only to dealers in illegal drugs, to attempt to establish corporate accountability for the crisis that has cost thousands of lives.

Impacts

• These investigations will be independent of the civil liability companies face; parties will likely settle the myriad civil lawsuits.
• Uncertainty over how to value claims complicates settlement negotiations.
• Punishing opioids manufacturers and distributors could make firms risk-averse, thereby limiting patients’ access to pain relief.