Month/Year of Graduation

5-2026

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Department

Business Finance

First Advisor

Dr. Lucy Morrison

Abstract

The opioid crisis in the United States is a deadly epidemic that demands fair and accessible treatment for those affected. The introduction of buprenorphine for opioid addiction disorder in 2002 allowed for the first treatment of the disorder beyond the time intensive and stigmatized practices of methadone clinics, which proved to be revolutionary. Reckitt-Benckiser (“Reckitt”) and former subsidiary Indivior were able to gain a legal monopoly of buprenorphine through their orphan drug exclusivity designation on Suboxone tablets that was approved by the FDA. Once orphan drug exclusivity was near expiration and generic competition began to prepare to enter the market, Reckitt undertook a variety of questionable actions to preserve their monopoly, including the introduction of a new buprenorphine product in the Suboxone film, the manipulation of data to support their claims that the Suboxone tablet was not safe for consumers (in turn providing a defense to potential antitrust lawsuits), the slow discontinuation of the Suboxone tablet combined with massive price increases on tablets to convince consumers to switch products, and the filing of a citizen’s petition with the FDA to delay generic competition, among other tactics. This thesis provides a broad background of the U.S. Opioid crisis with a focus upon buprenorphine’s introduction, and upon Reckitt’s product hop, pricing scheme, and the subsequent antitrust and civil/criminal litigation both Reckitt and Indivior faced. It concludes by considering current multidistrict litigation and consumer implications related to navigating such legal pathways.

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