Chicago City Wire

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that Pfizer Inc. has agreed to adopt higher standards for its prescription opioid marketing and promotion. 

Opioids are a highly addictive class of narcotic painkillers used to treat common, chronic pain. 

The city of Chicago filed a lawsuit in 2014 against five pharmaceutical manufacturers for allegedly misrepresenting the dangers these prescription drugs can have. Despite not being named in the lawsuit, Pfizer came forward to work with the city, providing documents and evidence relevant to Chicago’s claims. The agreement reached by the two sides notes that the city found no evidence of wrongdoing on Pfizer’s part.

“This landmark agreement is a big step in the right direction to help protect and educate the public about the true risks and benefits of highly potent and highly addictive painkillers,” Emanuel said. “The use of these drugs has led to a dramatic rise in drug addiction, overdose and diversion in communities across the nation, including in Chicago. Pfizer’s cooperation is proof that companies can act responsibly.” 

As per the agreement, Pfizer will disclose addiction risk for opioids, disclose that there are no studies observing the use of the drug for more than 12 weeks, not promote the drug for off-label uses, and include information on opioid addiction in its promotions.