Ohio Supreme Court Ruling Deals Blow to Counties in Opioid Crisis Lawsuit
COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a significant legal setback for two Ohio counties, the state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a $650 million judgment against major chain pharmacy operators will likely be overturned. The court’s decision sided with pharmacies, which argued that state law does not permit the 2021 judgment awarded to Lake and Trumbull counties for abating a public nuisance tied to widespread drug addiction.
The ruling comes after the pharmacies appealed to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, which sought clarification from the Ohio Supreme Court on whether the state’s products liability law allows for public nuisance claims regarding prescribed opioids. A federal jury had previously determined that CVS Health, Walgreens Boots Alliance, and Walmart played a crucial role in exacerbating the opioid crisis by aggressively distributing highly addictive painkillers, no matter the consequences. This lax dispensing resulted in rampant drug diversion and the escalation of substance abuse problems, prompting the counties to pursue the lawsuit under the claim of "public nuisance."
This ruling has garnered significant attention as it represents a crucial legal precedent for public agencies contending with the overwhelming impact of the opioid epidemic, which has claimed nearly 20,000 lives in Ohio since 2018. The state has consistently ranked among those with the highest fatal overdose rates in the country, underscoring the urgency of addressing the ramifications of the crisis.
As the story develops, many are left to wonder how this legal ruling will influence ongoing efforts to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable and provide relief to communities grappling with the devastating effects of opioid addiction. Further updates are anticipated as the situation unfolds.
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