Walmart, the largest U.S. retailer, was accused of involvement in the so-called opioid crisis of the 1990s. The federal court in Cleveland ruled against Walmart and the largest drugstore chains CVS and Walgreens.
The case notes that Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens were involved in the uncontrolled distribution of opioid analgesics in gigantic quantities, according to CNBC. The investigation uncovered the sale of these drugs in the state of Ohio. In two counties in the state alone, this led to nearly $1 billion in damages resulting in health problems and deaths.
Previously, large-scale investigations into the opioid crisis in the U.S. have been recognized by several pharmaceutical companies. At the same time, the pharmacy network involved in the case was not involved. Experts note that the precedent could lead to the initiation of new trials against retailers. Further hearings will take place in the spring of 2022.
The opioid crisis took place in the United States in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Pharmaceutical corporations actively distribute opioid analgesics without warning of the possible risks to the life and health of consumers. According to preliminary estimates, about 700,000 people have died in the United States over the past 18 years because of drug overdoses. It is believed that pharmaceutical companies, which ran advertising campaigns to promote “safe” painkillers supposedly and encouraged doctors to prescribe these drugs, contributed significantly to the crisis.
