B.C. class-action lawsuit against opioid providers certified by Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Canada has officially approved British Columbia’s class-action lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors, according to the attorney general of the province, Niki Sharma. This decision permits B.C. to represent other Canadian governments in seeking damages related to the costs of managing opioid-related illnesses allegedly caused by the actions of the pharmaceutical industry. Sharma emphasized that this certification demonstrates B.C.’s dedication to holding drug companies responsible for their involvement in the opioid crisis, which was designated as a public health emergency in the province back in April 2016.
The validation of this lawsuit by the Supreme Court comes after a period of legal contention wherein several opioid companies contested B.C.’s authority to bring forth such a claim, citing potential breaches of constitutional limits. Nonetheless, the majority of the court asserted that B.C.’s legislation acknowledges the jurisdictional rights of other Canadian governments, allowing them to opt-out of the lawsuit if they so choose. Notably, numerous provinces and territories, as well as the federal government, have expressed their intent to participate in the class-action proceedings, further solidifying the collaborative nature of this effort.
Sharma expressed sentiments of accomplishment, deeming the court’s certification of the class-action as a significant milestone in a process that commenced in 2018 with the initial filing of the lawsuit. The primary objective of this legal action, as outlined by Sharma, is to recuperate the expenses associated with treating the adverse effects of opioids and to make manufacturers and distributors answerable for their alleged adoption of misleading marketing tactics that amplified sales, thus contributing to escalating addiction and overdose rates nationwide.
Recent data published by the B.C. Coroners Service reveals that, in the first ten months of the previous year, there were 1,925 fatalities resulting from overdoses, signifying a decline of nine percent compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Nationally, Canadian government statistics signify that there have been over 49,000 deaths attributed to opioid overdoses during the period spanning January 2016 to June 2024. These figures underscore the urgency and gravity of the opioid crisis, underpinning the significance and timeliness of the legal actions taken by British Columbia in holding accountable those entities deemed responsible for perpetuating this public health concern.
