Over 130 people die in the United States every day due to the misuse of opioids such as prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl, leading to the national government declaring an "opioid crisis" because of the high mortality rate caused by addiction to these substances. Opioid addiction could be attributed to pharmaceutical companies' claims in the late 1990s that these substances are safe for human consumption and are non-addictive, making doctors prescribe these medications at higher rates for their patients. It turns out that these opioids are actually highly addictive contrary to their original claims and can result in death when taken at higher amounts as prescribed. The opioid crisis continues to pummel through the first two decades of the 21st century as opioid abuse increased by 54% in large cities across 16 states.
Two Ohio counties combat the opioid crisis in landmark federal trial
Cuyahonga and Summit counties in the state of Ohio filed a $7 billion lawsuit against drug companies following the opioid crisis in their areas of jurisdiction. The two counties claim that big pharmaceuticals have orchestrated the consumption of opioid substances to gain more profit, citing anti-racketeering laws as a basis, normally used for organized crime. Both counties claim that manufacturers have falsely claimed that their products are non-addictive despite overwhelming evidence, motivated by large profit margins with the increase of sales. Pharmacies and distributors are also at fault as county executives claim that they have illegally dispensed opioids for higher income.
The trial in Ohio would serve as a basis for future lawsuits against pharmaceutical manufacturers, drug stores, and distributors if they were held accountable for the opioid crisis. Should the trial lean towards the plaintiffs, these pharmaceutical businesses may be made to pay for billions in damages to over 2700 American cities, counties, and Native American tribes.
Four Big Pharma companies pay settlement just hours before trial
Teva Pharmaceuticals, the largest generic drug manufacturer in the world, alongside three large-scale distributors of opioid medication namely McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, and Cardinal Health, agreed to pay the two counties a total of $260 million just hours before the scheduled trial on Monday, Oct. 21.
Reception to the $260 million settlement is not entirely positive. Cuyahonga Executive Armond Budish said in an interview with the Guardian that $260 million is not enough to deal with the effects of the epidemic to the county's residents. However, this amount would allow Cuyahonga and Summit counties to fund programs for rehabilitating afflicted residents in the meantime. County executives see this payout as the first move for large pharmaceutical companies to take responsibility for the epidemic they have caused.
Walgreens and Henry Schein Medical did not participate in the settlement deal, citing different reasons. Walgreens insists on its innocence as it merely dispenses medication following drug prescription laws. Henry Schein Medical was sued by Summit County only and has reached a deal with them to establish a $1 million educational foundation advocating for proper use of opioids.
What's next after the settlement?
The settlement effectively cancels the supposed landmark trial in Ohio. While four companies have agreed to pay the two counties some money, other defendants did not join in such as Walgreens, Walmart, and CV, with their case to be discussed in a separate trial. These developments are hoped to lead the way towards Big Pharma's accountability in the opioid crisis.
