Opioids: Decision coming soon in suit against drug distributors, including Cardinal Health

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — After two days of closing arguments in a trial against major drug distributors blamed for the nation's opioid crisis, West Virginia residents are awaiting a judge's decision in a case that could have huge effects on other lawsuits filed across the country.

Lawsuits similar to the one filed by Cabell County and the city of Huntington, just across the Ohio River from the southern tip of Ohio, have resulted in multimillion-dollar settlements, but this is the first time allegations have wound up at federal trial.

Attorneys for major drug distributors made their final pleas to a federal judge last week to absolve them while placing the blame elsewhere for a prescription pill health emergency in a part of West Virginia.

Defense: 'None of the evidence shows Cardinal Health’s conduct was unreasonable'

Defense attorneys tried to find holes in assertions by the plaintiffs and their witnesses as two-day closing arguments wrapped up Wednesday in the bench trial of a lawsuit against distributors AmerisourceBergen Drug Co., Cardinal Health Inc., of Dublin, Ohio, and McKesson Corp.

Read more: https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2021/08/02/cardinal-health-defendants-huntington-west-virginia-opioid-lawsuit/5447538001/
(Columbus Dispatch)