Court certifies Canadian class action against consultancy firm for allegedly promoting opioids
A Canada-wide class action lawsuit against a consultancy firm for the promotion of opioids has been certified by the B.C. Supreme Court.
According to the judgment published last week, the suit was filed against McKinsey & Company by B.C. on behalf of itself and other federal, provincial, and territorial governments, claiming the firm “allegedly provided advice in the manufacture, marketing, distribution, or sale of opioid-related products in Canada.”
The judgment highlights an amended notice of civil claim (ANOCC) alleging that McKinsey provided services linked to the promotion, marketing, sale, or distribution of opioids in Canada to three pharmaceutical manufacturers and one distributor.
The ANOCC alleges that the firm “worked closely with these and other opioid manufacturers and distributors to increase the sale and distribution of opioids to consumers for unsuitable uses despite McKinsey knowing that opioids were addictive.”
McKinsey denied these claims and argued that it acted as “simply a consultant” and never made representations related to opioid products to Canadian consumers.
“McKinsey did not undertake any work in Canada to enhance the sale or marketing of opioids. We believe this complaint is without merit and will defend against it,” said McKinsey & Company Canada in a statement to Daily Hive.
In his judgment, Justice Michael Brundrett acknowledged that the case presented enough “common issues” to move forward with the class-action lawsuit against McKinsey.
“I find that the common issues here are at the heart of the claims advanced. I assess that this factor favours the proposed class proceeding,” he stated.
This decision follows the B.C. Supreme Court’s certification of the province’s class-action lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors in January 2025.
“Today, the B.C. Supreme Court’s decision to certify the litigation marks a significant milestone in our fight against opioid manufacturers and distributors. B.C. can now proceed, on behalf of federal, provincial, and territorial governments, to recover the costs of treating opioid-related diseases that were allegedly caused by the industry’s wrongful conduct,” said B.C. Attorney General Nikki Sharma in January, regarding the court’s decision at the time.
Litigators Sotos Class Actions currently have a section on its website for those impacted to join the class action against McKinsey.
Daily Hive has reached out to Sotos for further information about the B.C. Supreme Court’s approval of the class action, and we’ll update this story when we hear back.