New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced a settlement with Indivior, Inc. (Indivior), a multinational pharmaceutical company, stopping the company’s misleading promotion of its opioid overdose drug, Opvee (generic name nalmefene). Despite knowing Opvee is not authorized by the New York State Department of Health (DOH) for use without a prescription, Indivior marketed the drug to public officials throughout the state and promoted its availability as if it were interchangeable with Narcan (generic name naloxone), the gold-standard medication for overdose reversals. Health officials and advocates in New York and nationwide have warned against substituting Opvee for Narcan, citing the drugs’ similar effectiveness and Opvee’s significantly more severe side effects. As part of its agreement with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), Indivior must refund taxpayer dollars it was paid for Opvee, recall improperly sold doses, stop making false statements about Opvee, and implement broad reforms to its marketing and training practices. Two days after signing the agreement, Indivior informed stakeholders that it would discontinue promotion of Opvee altogether.

“Indivior cannot rewrite its history and exploit this drug crisis for profit,” said Attorney General James. “After playing a role in fueling the opioid epidemic, the company tried to position itself as part of the solution while misleading public officials and the communities they serve about which overdose treatments are safe, legal, and effective. Far too many families have lost loved ones to opioids and overdose, and my office will continue to do everything in its power to combat the devastating opioid crisis and keep New Yorkers safe.”