CVS, Walmart, and Walgreens fined a combined $650 million.
U.S. District Judge Dan Polster has ordered the pharmacy operators CVS, Walmart, and Walgreens to pay a combined $650.6 million in damages to address the opioid epidemic in the Ohio counties of Lake and Trumbull. This is the first time pharmacy chains have been fined for damages in an opioid lawsuit. There are several other opioid cases currently active and this verdict may lead to a domino effect of similar rulings in federal courts.
“The news today means that we will soon have the long-awaited resources necessary to extend aid to properly address the harms caused by this devastating epidemic,” Trumbull County Commissioner Frank Fuda stated. The pharmacies continue to maintain that they are not liable for the filling of doctors’ prescriptions and will likely appeal the verdict.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For discernment for federal judges as they hear cases pertaining to the opioid crisis.
- For state and local authorities as they seek to address addiction in their jurisdictions.
- For pharmacy officials and physicians as they assess the needs of their consumers and patients.
Sources: The Hill, Reuters
