BALTIMORE — A Baltimore jury will decide whether to pay more than $260 million in damages to two drug companies accused of contributing to the city’s opioid crisis.
The decision followed a six-week trial, in which lawyers for the city argued that the companies were more focused on profits than public health. According to the city, the companies have shipped millions of opioid pills to Baltimore, ignoring their addictive effects. This oversupply, they argue, is leading residents to turn to stronger drugs like fentanyl and heroin, making the crisis worse.
The companies claim that they operate legally, sell approved painkillers in licensed pharmacies and deny any illegal drug dealing.
The city has already secured $400 million in settlements from other opioid companies, including Walgreens, Johnson & Johnson, Teva PharmaceuticalsAnd CVS In similar cases. Jurors will now determine whether the two companies were a “public nuisance” to Baltimore.
The city is seeking damages to cover current and future costs related to the opioid crisis, including funds already spent on law enforcement and public health initiatives.