U.S. drug distributors prevail in $2.5 bln West Virginia opioid case

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-drug-distributors-prevail-25-billion-west-virginia-opioid-case-2022-07-04/

July 4 (Reuters) - McKesson Corp (MCK.N), AmerisourceBergen Corp (ABC.N) and Cardinal Health Inc (CAH.N) are not responsible for fueling an opioid epidemic in a part of West Virginia, a federal judge ruled on Monday.

The decision from U.S. District Judge David Faber came in a $2.5 billion case brought by the city of Huntington and Cabell County, which at trial sought to show the three largest U.S. drug distributors caused a surge in opioid prescriptions in their communities.

But in a long-awaited, 184-page ruling, Faber said the volume of prescription painkillers shipped to those communities was due to doctors' "good faith" prescribing decisions and that the companies did not cause any oversupply of opioids.

"The opioid crisis has taken a considerable toll on the citizens of Cabell County and the city of Huntington," he wrote. "And while there is a natural tendency to assign blame in such cases, they must be decided not based on sympathy, but on the facts and the law."

Cardinal Health in a statement applauded the decision, which it said recognized that it only provided a "secure channel to deliver medications of all kinds." McKesson said it maintains strong programs to prevent the diversion of opioids to illicit channels.

*snip*

[elleng]

1. 'due to doctors' "good faith" prescribing decisions and that the companies did not cause any oversup

[Nevilledog]

2. In other words....bullshit.

[elleng]

3. Perfectly predictable.

[aeromanKC]

4. Yes, doctors good faith in making drug blood money

[Delmette2.0]

5. Watch the series Dopesick. If i remember correctly it is on Hulu.

It is a good series showing the corporate side and personal side in a small town.