General vs. Specific Causation in Suboxone Tooth Decay Litigation
Indivior is asserting that the current Suboxone tooth decay multidistrict litigation (MDL) necessitates a focus on general causation before delving into specific causation.
In this context, general causation involves establishing that Suboxone possesses the capacity to induce dental issues, such as tooth decay, backed by scientific evidence and expert testimony. Conversely, specific causation entails demonstrating a direct link between Suboxone usage and dental problems in individual plaintiffs, relying on personalized evidence like dental records and expert evaluations of their unique dental conditions.
While specific causation may pose challenges in certain cases, the evidence supporting general causation appears robust. Suboxone, particularly in its film form, is known to be highly acidic and has been associated with severe dental harm over prolonged use, as documented in medical literature dating back to 2012. These issues, including tooth decay, cavities, oral infections, and tooth loss, have been reported even among patients with no prior dental complications, prompting product warnings.
Indivior’s insistence on prioritizing general causation over specific causation appears contentious, given the substantial body of evidence linking Suboxone usage to dental decay.
