Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, and other Drug Stores are Being Sued for Opioid Distribution

The opioid epidemic is finally showing signs of getting under control, but the opioid epidemic lawsuits are only increasing.

Purdue Pharma is one big player that’s faced cases due to their involvement in the opioid epidemic. There are even smaller opioid manufacturers filing for bankruptcy after court rulings hit high payouts to victims of the opioid epidemic. In the newest 2019 opioid lawsuit, big name drug stores including Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS have lawsuits filed against them.

The Latest Opioid Lawsuits against Drug Stores

Previous opioid lawsuits have targeted opioid manufacturers, and 2019’s most recent opioid cases aim to utilize the court to highlight how complicit drug store giants have been in the epidemic. Cities, towns, and Native American communities have all combined efforts to file lawsuits against drug store giants like Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens. The lawsuits compile internal documents, emails, and other information to paint a picture of complacency, where these companies were aware of excessive opioid prescriptions.

In one notable Florida Walgreens pharmacy, the store was requesting 3,271 bottles of oxycodone a month while the store’s city only had a population of 2,831.¹

The Walmart opioid lawsuit, CVS opioid lawsuit, and Walgreens opioid lawsuit show how failures among pharmacies and drug stores contributed to the worsening opioid epidemic. These cases are expected to go to court and enter the trial stage in October.¹ The trial will likely focus on the complacency of these companies and their hand in the worsening of the historic epidemic, whether intentional or unintentional.

What We Can Learn from the Newest Opioid Lawsuits

The newest opioid lawsuits show how numerous companies, corporations, and individuals turned a blind eye to the problem. Overprescribing by doctors isn’t the only issue, these recent cases show that pharmacies and drug stores may have also shared in a degree of responsibility for the worsening of the epidemic by filing excessive numbers of prescriptions without question.

While recent lawsuits are helping to hold corporations responsible for their hand in the opioid epidemic, those who have active opioid addictions need help to find sobriety. We offer several Florida addiction treatment programs to help patients get and stay sober.

If you or someone you love is struggling with opioid addiction, call our detox center in Florida at 888-280-4763 to learn how we can help.

Sources:

1. New York Times – 3,271 Pill Bottles, a Town of 2,831: Court Filings Say Corporations Fed Opioid Epidemic