Letter: Suing drugmaker makes no sense
Mourners pay their respects at Haven Drugs pharmacy in Medford, where four people were killed. (June 23, 2011) Credit: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.
I find it an outrage that lawyers for the family of one of the victims are suing aimlessly regarding the Medford pharmacy murders ["Suing for $20M," News, Feb. 10]. The incident from last June involving the violent murders of innocent people will be embedded in the minds of their families forever. However, the right to seek damages for such a crime has spun out of control.
The attorneys are grasping at straws. There is little doubt that the legislation regarding drug use in this country needs marked improvement, but it is far-fetched to think that the pharmaceutical companies should be held responsible.
Until such time as the manufacture of these harmful substances is completely illegal, Abbott Laboratories should not be named in this lawsuit. I am in no way defending distribution of these dangerous substances, but I am concerned with the precedents this case would set.
Nancy DiMonte, Elwood
