State Joins Suboxone Lawsuit That Could Help Fund Rehab Centers in Connecticut
Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen recently announced that the state has joined 34 other states in an antitrust lawsuit against the drugmakers of Suboxone. The medication, which is commonly used by rehab centers in Connecticut, treats opioid addiction by helping addicts overcome opioid dependency. If all 35 states win the lawsuit, rehab centers across the country could benefit from millions in compensation that could be used to improve the nation’s opioid epidemic.
If you or someone you know is battling opioid addiction, understand that your next best step is to get help. Call our confidential helpline at 888-414-2380 to speak with one of our caring addiction specialists and learn more about your rehab options.
Why the Suboxone Lawsuit Was Filed
The lawsuit claims Suboxone manufacturers delayed the production of more affordable alternatives.
The federal lawsuit alleges that Suboxone drugmakers Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc. and MonoSol Rx conspired to switch Suboxone from pill version into an oral dissolvable film. The new Suboxone was then advertised to work more effectively than its original version, which halted releases of generic alternatives. The lawsuit claims that the drugmakers made this move intentionally to prevent and delay generic brands from releasing low-cost alternatives that would eat into company profits.
Jepsen says Suboxone manufacturers may have prevented thousands of struggling opioid addicts from accessing a drug that could help them overcome opioid addiction. Rehab centers and addiction treatment centers may have had to spend excess state funds on Suboxone, given no generic alternatives for the drug are available. Jepsen also points out that the move was made in the middle of a national opioid crisis, and could directly have impacted national opioid addiction and overdose rates.
Connecticut has been experiencing a rise in fatal opioid overdoses every year since 2012. According to the state’s chief medical examiner, 2016 is projected to have the highest number of opioid overdose deaths, topping out at 888. As of June, over 444 residents have died from opioid overdoses.
Using Suboxone to Treat Opioid Addiction
Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, two other medications commonly used to treat opioid addiction. Patients who enter rehab to overcome opioid addiction are prescribed Suboxone to reduce cravings for heroin and other opioids, and to minimize opioid withdrawal symptoms. The drug is an effective treatment because it mirrors the effects of opioids without providing pain relief or feelings of euphoria.
Suboxone is one of several medication-assisted treatments available at drug rehab centers that can help opioid addicts defeat addiction and achieve sobriety. Studies have shown that medication-assisted treatments are effective at addressing opioid addiction, and offer better treatment outcomes than other programs. Due to the highly addictive nature of heroin and opioids, struggling addicts without access to Suboxone and similar medications face a greater risk for relapses and overdoses.
The opioid epidemic affecting Connecticut and the rest of the country has led to thousands of overdose deaths, and is continuing to grow worse, according to the CDC. Increased access to Suboxone and generic alternatives could help rehab centers in Connecticut treat the state’s opioid epidemic and improve public safety across communities.
If you’re addicted to opioids, please understand that it’s never too late to seek help for your addiction. Call our confidential helpline at 888-414-2380 to learn more about drug rehab centers in Connecticut that can help you achieve improved health and lasting sobriety.
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