Quebec to pass legislation allowing it to sue pharmaceutical companies for role in opioid crisis

Quebec is set to introduce legislation that would enable it to join a putative class-action lawsuit against dozens of players in the pharmaceutical industry over opioid-related harms.

The more than 40 defendants include manufacturers such as Purdue Pharma, whose OxyContin pain pill has been implicated in Canada’s overdose epidemic; retailers such as Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. and the Jean Coutu Group Inc.; and distributors and wholesalers. B.C. introduced the Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act in 2018, empowering it to pursue class actions on behalf of the federal government and other provincial governments.

Suzanne Chiodo, an associate professor at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School and an expert in class actions, said that if Quebec joins the lawsuit, Jean Coutu and Pro Doc’s claim that the B.C. courts cannot take jurisdiction over them would likely fail, as has already happened in B.C. Supreme Court.

Malaysia Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Malaysia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Airline industry claims traveller safety at risk with proposed passenger rights rulesMONTREAL — Aviation companies are making the pitch to Ottawa that stricter rules designed to boost customer compensation and improve service could put passenger safety at risk — an argument consumer advocates reject as 'ridiculous.
Source: BurnabyNOW_News - 🏆 14. / 77 Read more »