Judges ruled that pharmacy chains cannot be held liable for allegations they violated an Ohio public nuisance law by flooding communities with pain pills.
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The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled in favor of CVS, Walgreens and Walmart in a major opioid case. (Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post)
National pharmacy chains cannot be held liable for allegations they violated an Ohio public nuisance law by flooding communities with addictive pain pills, the state’s Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.
The decision marks a blow to efforts by governments to hold companies accountable for their alleged role in fueling the nation’s opioid crisis. It also highlights the high-stakes risks of litigation: The same legal strategy has led to more than $50 billion in opioid settlements across the country while delivering losses in some states.