The Justice Department is conducting a criminal investigation into McKinsey & Company, a prominent consulting firm, for its involvement in advising drug companies on how to increase sales of opioids. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that prosecutors from Virginia and Massachusetts are leading the probe, in collaboration with the Justice Department's civil division in Washington, DC.
The focus of the investigation is on the guidance provided by McKinsey to pharmaceutical companies regarding the marketing and distribution of highly addictive prescription opioids. Critics have accused McKinsey of assisting opioid manufacturers such as Purdue Pharma, Johnson & Johnson, and Endo in expanding the reach of these drugs across the nation.
McKinsey has already settled for hundreds of millions of dollars in various lawsuits nationwide related to its alleged role in the opioid crisis. The Wall Street Journal first reported on the criminal inquiry, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The abuse of prescription opioid painkillers has led to a widespread epidemic in the United States, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In response to the investigation, McKinsey has stated that it no longer engages in 'opioid-specific business' and is committed to supporting efforts aimed at addressing the crisis.
While McKinsey has taken steps to distance itself from opioid-related work, the Justice Department has refrained from providing any comments on the ongoing investigation. The case underscores the significant impact of consulting firms in shaping the strategies of pharmaceutical companies and the subsequent consequences on public health.
