Alberta joining B.C. in class-action lawsuit against opioid manufacturers, distributors

CALGARY - The Alberta government says it's joining a class-action lawsuit to recoup health-care costs related to the opioid crisis.

Health Minister Tyler Shandro says there were almost 800 fatal overdoses and 4,200 emergency calls related to opioids last year.

British Columbia filed the lawsuit a year ago alleging drug manufacturers falsely marketed opioids as less addictive than other pain medicines, triggering the crisis.

The suit seeks costs from those manufacturers and distributors dating back to 1996.

Ontario and New Brunswick previously announced they are participating in the suit.

None of the allegations in the lawsuit have been tested in court.

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  Tyler Shandro, Alberta's Minister of Health is sworn into office, in Edmonton on April 30, 2019. The Alberta government says it's joining a class-action lawsuit to recoup health-care costs related to the opioid crisis. Health Minister Tyler Shandro says there were almost 800 fatal overdoses and 4,200 emergency calls related to opioids last year. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)