LOCAL HOSPITALS SUING BIG PHARMA

Two area hospitals have filed a lawsuit against national health care and pharmaceutical companies to recoup the costs of treating opioid-addicted patients. Baptist Hospital and Jay Hospital allege in the federal lawsuit filed Tuesday the 23 companies or subsidiaries have played a part in the increased need to treat patients for opioid addictions. Many of the companies refute the claims, saying the role pharmaceutical companies in the nationwide opioid epidemic is misunderstood.