Over 20 hospitals and affiliated companies have united in multidistrict litigation that suggests in a complaint that drug distributors, pharmacies and other entities have contributed to the opioid epidemic, which has negatively affected hospital finances and strained patient aid capabilities.
The 278-page complaint, obtained by Becker's, was filed Feb. 26 in an Ohio federal court by for-profit hospitals affiliated with Allegiance Health Management, along with other plaintiffs. The complaint alleges that more than 12 defendants engaged in fraud, nuisance, racketeering, civil conspiracy, and unjust enrichment through giving power to the opioid crisis.
The plaintiffs claim the companies engaged in opioid marketing, distribution and sales are taking advantage of hospital responsibilities to treat communities affected by addiction. Defendants listed in the lawsuit include pharmaceutical company AbbVie, Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Johnson & Johnson.
Some of the complaints comprise multiple for-profit Louisiana and Mississippi hospitals, while others include companies that previously ran hospitals.
The defendants have previously refuted wrongdoing and said they have implemented measures to combat opioid misuse.
Some settlements in other opioid lawsuits have been reached without liability admissions. Teva Pharmaceuticals, an Israel-based drug manufacturer, agreed to pay $126 million last August in an opioid settlement to U.S. hospitals.
Walgreens declined to provide Becker's with a comment regarding the lawsuit.
Becker's has reached out to hospital attorneys and some of the additional defendants for comment regarding the lawsuit.