Cleveland Judge Orders Drugmakers to Stand Trial for Opioid Crisis

An Ohio federal judge rejected efforts by drugmakers, distributors and pharmacies to dismiss claims that they caused the nation’s opioid crisis, allowing an Oct. 21 trial against Purdue Pharma to proceed.

Judge Dan Polster said that the plaintiffs may plead their case that the drugmakers’ marketing of opioids caused an over-supply that pharmacies and distributors did not do enough to stop.

Polster also refused to dismiss civil conspiracy claims against drugmakers, pharmacies and distributors, as well as claims against Allergan, Mallinckrodt, and Teva Pharmaceuticals.