Baltimore, Maryland – In a significant legal victory, the city of Baltimore has achieved an $80 million settlement with Walgreens and a $266 million damages award against drug distributors McKesson and Amerisource-Bergen. These outcomes mark a serious commitment to addressing the opioid crisis that has devastated communities across the city.
Announced last month, the Walgreens settlement resolves the city’s claims against the pharmacy giant for its involvement in exacerbating the opioid epidemic. The terms of the agreement stipulate that Walgreens will pay $45 million by the end of this year, with the remaining $35 million to be paid by December of the following year.
In a separate but related development, a Baltimore jury determined that McKesson and Amerisource-Bergen must pay more than $266 million for their roles in the opioid crisis. This decision followed an intense legal battle where Baltimore chose to take a stand alone rather than join a global settlement that included other jurisdictions.
This series of legal actions against the pharmaceutical industry by Baltimore totals over $668 million in restitution funds. Other settlements include $45 million each from Allergan and CVS, and $80 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. Additionally, Cardinal Health agreed to a $152.5 million settlement, while terms with Johnson & Johnson were not made public.
The city plans to use these substantial funds to address and mitigate the effects of the opioid crisis in every part of Baltimore. As outlined in the mayor’s executive order, the resources are intended to build healthier communities and save lives by directly combating the opioid epidemic’s impacts.
In a statement, the mayor expressed gratitude towards the jury for recognizing the profound hardship that the opioid epidemic has caused to the city. The verdicts are seen as a validation of Baltimore’s claims against an industry often criticized for prioritizing profits over patient safety.
The legal efforts were spearheaded by Ebony Thompson, the city solicitor, and her team of litigators, in conjunction with external counsel from Susman Godfrey. Their relentless pursuit of justice on behalf of Baltimore’s residents has been pivotal in these legal victories.
Looking ahead, the city is gearing up for additional abatement proceedings scheduled for December as it continues to seek comprehensive solutions to the overdose crisis. The recent settlements and jury verdict bring Baltimore one step closer to recovery and healing, marking a significant moment in its fight against corporate negligence in the opioid disaster.
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