In a landmark decision, Endo Health Solutions Inc. (EHSI) has been ordered to pay a staggering $1.536 billion in criminal fines and forfeiture.
The penalty is for violations related to the distribution of misbranded opioid medication Opana ER.
This verdict, the second-largest set of criminal financial penalties ever imposed against a pharmaceutical company, represents a significant step in holding accountable those responsible for contributing to the opioid crisis.
The judgment follows EHSI’s guilty plea to a misdemeanor count of introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce.
The plea, made on April 18, confirmed that certain EHSI sales representatives marketed Opana ER with claims of abuse deterrence, tamper resistance, and crush resistance, despite lacking clinical data to support these assertions.
The $1.086 billion criminal fine and an additional $450 million criminal forfeiture mark a pivotal moment in the battle against opioid abuse.
The payment reflects the severity of EHSI’s misconduct and aims to address the harm caused by its actions.
EHSI’s guilt underscores the urgent need for accountability in the pharmaceutical industry. It sends a clear message that companies engaging in deceptive practices will face severe consequences.
The $1.536 billion penalty serves as a warning to other pharmaceutical entities and reaffirms the commitment to combatting the opioid epidemic.
