Baltimore, MD — In a significant legal victory, the city of Baltimore was awarded $266 million in damages from McKesson and AmerisourceBergen, two major pharmaceutical firms, due to their roles in the local opioid crisis. This decision reflects the city’s proactive approach in handling its opioid litigation independent of the nationwide settlement involving several states and municipalities.
The city previously chose not to join the 2021 national opioid settlement, which included agreements with Cardinal Health, McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, and Johnson & Johnson. Instead, Baltimore pursued individual settlements and legal battles, previously securing more than three times the funds it would have received under the collective arrangement. Noteworthy is the city’s $668.5 million total from various opioid-related litigations, including the recent jury award.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott praised the outcome, stating the funds constitute a “game-changing figure” aimed at intensifying efforts to tackle the public health crisis across Baltimore. Plans are in place to allocate these funds strategically to enhance the city’s health services and save lives.
Prior to this decision, Baltimore successfully negotiated settlements amounting to $402.5 million with several firms, including Walgreens, Allergan, CVS, Teva, and Cardinal Health. Additionally, a settlement was reached with Johnson & Johnson, though the details remain undisclosed.
These lawsuits primarily challenged the pharmaceutical companies’ marketing strategies, which allegedly promoted opioids as safe and effective for prolonged use, contradicting their high addictive potential ideally suited for short-term treatments. Baltimore’s legal stance seeks to hold these companies accountable in mitigating the city’s opioid epidemic.
Tragically, the opioid crisis continues to claim lives, with annual opioid-related deaths in Baltimore surpassing the number of homicides. This public health disaster not only affects mortality rates but also impedes the social and economic stability of many residents.
Overdoses have accounted for more than 800,000 deaths across the United States from 1999 through 2023, based on data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This national emergency highlights the critical need for accountability and substantial remediation efforts from opioid manufacturers and distributors.
As Baltimore prepares for further legal proceedings scheduled for December, Mayor Scott emphasizes the city’s ongoing commitment to addressing the inflicted damages, honoring the victims, and facilitating recovery for affected communities.
In related developments, Maryland recently concluded its own set of opioid settlements in March, garnering $238 million from agreements with Teva, Allergan, Walmart, and Walgreens, marking another substantial step towards tackling the epidemic at the state level.
These continuous legal challenges and settlements underscore the broader national endeavor to hold pharmaceutical entities accountable and to foster healing and justice for communities ravaged by opioid misuse.
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