Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals is one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of the highly addictive painkiller oxycodone. In 2011, the Drug Enforcement Administration targeted Mallinckrodt in an effort to combat the rising opioid epidemic in what would end up being the largest prescription-drug case ever pursued by the DEA. Despite allegations of violating laws that are meant to prevent legal narcotics entering the black market, the company ultimately reached a “tentative” settlement with prosecutors. This is an example, from this Washington Post article, which shows the difficulty the government has in holding drug manufacturers responsible for the repercussions of the drugs they produce.

Check out the article mentioned above to read more details about what happened with Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals and the importance of  holding manufacturers accountable. As always, we love to hear your thoughts!