Law

CVS Health Corp., Walgreens Boots Alliance and other pharmacy chains face mounting pressure to settle thousands of government lawsuits over their role in the U.S. opioid epidemic after a federal judge warned the companies they risk financial peril.

The recent settlement announced between the state of Ohio and consulting business McKinsey & Co. for the firm's role in creating and fueling the opioid epidemic is a perfect example of how we unfairly punish Ohioans dealing with substance-use disorder while allowing the engineers of this crisis to escape with just a slap on the wrist.

Here’s a look at the opioid crisis. Experts say the United States is in the throes of an opioid epidemic. An estimated 10.1 million Americans aged 12 and older misused opioids in 2019, including 9.7 million prescription pain reliever abusers and 745,000 heroin users.

Proceeds of the fraud were used to fund private jet flights, courtside tickets to the NBA Finals, and purchase of luxury automobiles, jewelry and real estate

For a second time, state Rep. Gayle Manning’s (R-North Ridgeville) legislation that addresses the shortage of chemical dependency counselors in Ohio, the profession that helps individuals at addiction treatment centers, has passed within the Ohio House.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has agreed to a settlement with McKinsey & Co. that will pour more than $24 million into communities to help combat the devastating effects of an opioid epidemic that has ripped apart communities and families throughout the state.

Cardinal Health Inc. is projecting a nearly $1 billion tax benefit over the coming year because of a proposed $6.6 billion settlement on opioid litigation.

CHARLESTON — Several attorneys general across the United States announced Thursday nearly $600 million in settlements with a drug marketing firm accused of helping to fuel the opioid crisis.