In a recent development in the ongoing legal battle surrounding Suboxone, the United Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) has ordered the consolidation of Suboxone dental injury lawsuits.
These cases will now be centralized in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, under the oversight of Judge J. Phillip Calabrese. This decision comes amidst mounting concerns over the dental health risks associated with the opioid addiction treatment drug.

With approximately 150 cases already filed or transferred to the consolidated multidistrict litigation (MDL), the spotlight is on defendants Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals and Indivior. These companies face allegations of failing to adequately warn patients and healthcare providers about the risk of tooth decay associated with Suboxone use.

Recently, a new Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit was filed by a Maryland man who suffered severe dental issues after being prescribed the drug for opioid addiction. His case underscores a recurring theme in Suboxone litigation: the failure of pharmaceutical companies to provide sufficient information on the potential risks associated with their products.

In response to the growing litigation, Indivior has raised concerns about the focus on specific causation versus general causation. While plaintiffs argue that Suboxone’s acidic nature inherently poses a risk to dental health, defendants contend that more evidence is needed to establish a direct causal link between Suboxone and dental problems in individual cases.

In addition to the legal proceedings, attorneys from Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane Conway & Wise, LLP and three other law firms ( Fibich, Leebron, Copeland, & Briggs , Johnson Becker PLLC , and Flint Cooper ) have potentially petitioned an Ohio federal judge to appoint them as co-lead counsel for the new multi-district litigation. Fourteen other firms are also seeking appointment to plaintiff leadership committees, highlighting the complex and collaborative nature of mass tort litigation.

Meanwhile, in other legal proceedings, updates on Purdue Pharma’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy case have emerged. As the pharmaceutical giant navigates bankruptcy proceedings, questions remain about accountability for the opioid crisis and the prioritization of profits over public health.

Stay informed as we bring you the latest developments in mass tort litigation and pharmaceutical industry news.