Feb 05, 2021 15:00:00

A major consulting firm pays more than 60 billion yen in settlement due to painkiller abuse that killed more than 400,000 people

Abuse of

opioids , a highly addictive painkiller, has become a major problem in the United States, and it is said that as many as 450,000 people have died from overdose of opioids in the last 20 years. In February 2021, McKinsey & Company , a major consulting firm, advised Purdue Pharma , a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer of opioid analgesics, to promote painkiller abuse at least $ 573 million ( We have agreed to pay a settlement of up to $ 600 million (about 60.5 billion yen) and up to $ 600 million (about 63.3 billion yen).

Attorney General James Delivers More Than $ 573 Million to Communities Across the Nation to Fight Opioid Crisis | New York State Attorney General
https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2021/attorney-general-james-delivers-more-573-million-communities-across-nation-fight

McKinsey Settles for Nearly $ 600 Million Over Role in Opioid Crisis --The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/03/business/mckinsey-opioids-settlement.html

McKinsey to pay nearly $ 600 million in settlements over its work with opioid companies --CNN
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/02/04/business/mckinsey-opioid-settlement/index.html

Opioid analgesics, which have a strong analgesic effect, contain narcotic ingredients collected from poppies, so there are many patients who are abusive or overdose. Legal opioids prescribed by doctors have killed more people from

overdose than heroin and cocaine, which are being cracked down by law.

In the United States , where abuse of opioid analgesics has become a major issue , in recent years there has been a growing pursuit of pharmaceutical companies that have continued to sell and make profits, even though they understand that they are addicted to opioids. Research has shown that pharmaceutical companies have benefited doctors and that pharmaceutical companies have paid IT companies to develop electronic health systems that support opioid prescribing.

In 2019, the court ordered the drug company Johnson & Johnson to pay 60 billion yen, and in 2020, the drug company Insis Serra, which bribed doctors to overprescribe opioids. Pew Politics to the CEO, the judgment of imprisonment 5 years and 6 months has been made.

5 years and 6 months imprisonment for CEO of a pharmaceutical company bribeing a doctor to prescribe addictive painkillers to unwanted patients-GIGAZINE

Then, in February 2021, McKinsey & Company, a major consultant, said, 'We advised Purdue Pharma, which manufactured the opioid analgesic oxycodone (oxycontin) , to promote sales of oxycontin.' It was announced that it had agreed to a settlement with 47 US states, five foreign territories, and Washington, DC. The settlement will pay McKinsey & Company $ 57,300 and has agreed to pay tens of millions of dollars, with total payments expected to reach $ 600 million.

Purdue Pharma increased sales of oxycontin by campaigning for 'less lethal, abusive and addictive than other drugs.' However, in reality, oxycontin is a drug with a high risk of abuse and addiction, and in 2007, Purdue Pharma told Purdue Pharma that it had 'a misleading brand strategy' (about $ 600 million at that time). A fine of 70 billion yen) has been imposed.

However, McKinsey & Company, even after recognizing the dangers of oxycontin in the event of such a situation, told Purdue Pharma that 'we should focus on selling profitable oxycontin' to doctor targeting and prescribing companies. It is possible to increase sales of Oxycontin through specific advice from. ' He also said that by collaborating with other opioid analgesic manufacturers, he could escape the strict response from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Maura Healey, Massachusetts Attorney General, who first began investigating McKinsey & Company, said that there were countless documents and emails about McKinsey & Company's misconduct, 'creating an opioid epidemic. Those who make a profit are always accountable. '

The settlement does not admit that McKinsey & Company has cheated, but will retain the email for the next five years and disclose potential conflicts of interest when bidding on state contracts. It is necessary. Of the settlement, $ 478 million must be paid within 60 days, and the settlement paid will be used to support communities suffering from the effects of the opioid crisis. Will be.

'We deeply regret not being fully aware of the tragic consequences of the opioid epidemic in the community,' said Kevin Sneader, Global Managing Partner at McKinsey & Company. We hope that the agreement will make us part of the solution to the opioid crisis in the United States. '