CVS Health Corp., Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. and Walmart Inc. today begin a first-of-its-kind trial to determine what the pharmacy chains owe for their role in the opioid epidemic in two Ohio counties, which are seeking $878 million, Reuters reported. A federal jury decided in November that the companies helped create a public nuisance with an alleged flood of addictive pain pills that wound up on the black market, in the first trial the companies faced over the crisis. The jury did not decide how much the companies should pay to help alleviate the health crisis, which will now be determined by U.S. District Judge Dan Polster, marking the first trial to separately determine what the pharmacy chains owe after having been found liable. Ohio's Lake and Trumbull Counties want the pharmacy chains to fund a $878 million five-year plan that includes treatment for addiction and overdoses, resources for law enforcement and healthcare providers, and employment training for addicts. Walgreens, CVS and Walmart countered with an offer of a one-year program to buy back unused prescription opioid drugs in the two counties. They argue that Ohio's public nuisance law only requires them to stop the nuisance identified by the jury — an oversupply of prescription drugs — and not to address all of its negative effects. CVS, Walgreens and Walmart have denied the counties’ allegations and said they would appeal the November verdict. The companies argued that if they must do more than buy drugs back, they should not be forced to cover costs related to illegal drug use. They also said the counties have overstated the costs of their five-year plan. The U.S. opioid epidemic has caused more than 500,000 overdose deaths over two decades, according to government data. More than 3,300 opioid lawsuits have been filed nationally against drugmakers, distributors and pharmacy chains, leading to a wave of proposed settlements.
