Insys Recklessly Marketed Opioid Drug, NY Suit Alleges

Insys Therapeutics Inc. recklessly marketed its cancer pain drug Subsys and downplayed the addictiveness of the powerful fentanyl product, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman alleges in a new suit addressing the U.S. opioid epidemic.

Hundreds of opioid suits have been filed by local and state governments as well as insurers and hospitals. They allege drug makers and distributors contributed to a public health crisis by minimizing risks of addiction and overdose, inducing doctors to overprescribe their products, or failing to report suspicious prescription orders.

Opioids, including prescription medications, heroin and illegally made fentanyl, are blamed for more than 42,000 ...