The American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) is a popular clothing and accessory retailer headquartered in Pennsylvania. However, recent reports have shed light on AEO’s involvement in the pharmaceutical industry, specifically with their sales of opioids.

This has led to concerns over AEO’s transparency and willingness to disclose public records related to their pharmaceutical sales.

AEO and the Opioid Crisis

The ongoing opioid crisis in the United States has highlighted the role that pharmaceutical companies and retailers have played in exacerbating the problem.

AEO has come under scrutiny due to its sale of opioids, particularly through its subsidiary company, American Eagle Pharmacy.

In a 2019 lawsuit filed by the state of Pennsylvania against Purdue Pharma, AEO was named as one of the defendants accused of contributing to the opioid epidemic.

The lawsuit alleged that AEO Pharmacy, in addition to Purdue Pharma and other companies, engaged in deceptive marketing practices that exaggerated the benefits of opioids while downplaying the risks of addiction and overdose.

AEO has denied any wrongdoing and argued that it has only sold opioids for legitimate medical purposes.

However, critics point out that AEO’s lack of transparency and refusal to disclose public records related to its pharmaceutical sales raise suspicion about the company’s role in the opioid crisis.

AEO’s Lack of Transparency

One of the main concerns around AEO’s pharmaceutical sales is the company’s lack of transparency.

Despite requests for public records on their sales, AEO has been accused of withholding this information and refusing to comply with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

For example, in 2018, Emily Weintraub, an investigative journalist and student at the University of Pittsburgh, filed a FOIA request to AEO for public records related to its pharmaceutical sales.

Specifically, Weintraub requested data on the number of opioids sold by AEO Pharmacy to individual patients, as well as information on the pharmacy’s dispensing practices.

AEO denied the request, citing state and federal laws that protect patient privacy.

However, Weintraub argued that AEO’s refusal to provide this information makes it difficult for policymakers to address the opioid crisis and hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for their role in exacerbating the epidemic.

The Importance of Public Records

Public records are an essential tool for journalists, researchers, and policymakers to hold companies accountable and ensure transparency in business practices.

In the case of the opioid crisis, public records can help identify patterns in prescription and dispensing practices that contribute to addiction and overdose.

Without access to public records, it becomes impossible to fully understand the scope of the opioid crisis and hold companies responsible for their role in exacerbating the problem.

AEO’s refusal to comply with FOIA requests for public records related to its pharmaceutical sales raises questions about the company’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

The Impact on the Opioid Crisis

The opioid crisis has had devastating effects on communities across the United States. In 2019, there were over 70,000 drug overdose deaths in the country, with opioids being involved in the majority of these deaths.

The role that pharmaceutical companies and retailers have played in contributing to this crisis cannot be ignored.

AEO’s involvement in the pharmaceutical industry and its refusal to disclose public records related to its sales raise concerns about the company’s role in exacerbating the opioid crisis.

Without transparency and accountability from companies like AEO, it becomes difficult to address the root causes of the problem and find solutions to the crisis.

Conclusion

The opioid crisis has become a national public health emergency, and the role that pharmaceutical companies and retailers have played in exacerbating the problem cannot be ignored.

AEO’s involvement in the pharmaceutical industry and its refusal to disclose public records related to its sales raise concerns about the company’s transparency and willingness to be held accountable for its actions.

Public records are an essential tool for addressing the opioid crisis and holding companies responsible for their role in contributing to the problem.

AEO’s lack of transparency and compliance with Freedom of Information Act requests for public records related to its pharmaceutical sales raise questions about the company’s commitment to transparency and accountability.