Johnson & Johnson's opioids have helped to create "the biggest public health crisis in history," Oklahoma told the court

The first lawsuit against a pharmaceutical opioid manufacturer began Tuesday in Norman, Oklahoma, in a case that could set a precedent for hundreds of other claims in the country.

Oklahoma's Attorney General, Mike Hunter, began the day by accusing Johnson & Johnson of putting profits on the blame and claimed that the company was responsible for "the worst public health crisis caused by the government." man from the history of our state and our country ".

In a multi-billion dollar civil suit against the drug maker, state attorneys claimed that Johnson & Johnson was aware of the addictive nature of opioids, but misled physicians by minimizing risks related to drugs while touting its benefits.

Brad Beckworth, a lawyer from Oklahoma, argued that Johnson & Johnson was motivated to increase sales on several fronts, both as a drug maker Duragesic and Nucynta as a supplier of raw materials for from other opioid manufacturers. He argued that Johnson & Johnson's marketing efforts had led physicians to overdose on opioid prescription in Oklahoma.

"If you offer too much, people will die," Beckworth repeatedly said in his opening statement, while also showing email communications from Johnson & Johnson's sales representatives.

Beckworth explained that these e-mails showed the pressure tactics used by the company to force doctors to prescribe Johnson & Johnson's drugs.

In his defense, Johnson & Johnson's attorney, Larry Ottway, argued that the company had clearly labeled his medications and emphasized the addictive nature and risks of his product. Ottway presented to the court slides of all the warnings that accompany his medications. He also claimed that Johnson and Johnsons' actions in the opioid market in Oklahoma were too small to be responsible for the crisis.

Oklahoma reached an agreement with two other drug companies before Tuesday's opening statement. In March, Purdue Pharma settled for $ 270 million and Sunday, Teva Pharmaceuticals, for $ 85 million, leaving Johnson & Johnson as the only defendant in what could be a bench trial of several months.

Ottway spoke of Johnson & Johnson's position as the only remaining defendant, concluding that "if you're right, you have to fight."