Two major pharmaceutical companies must pay Baltimore $266 million after a jury ruled they contributed to the opioid epidemic. This crisis causes tens of thousands of deaths annually in the U.S., devastating communities nationwide.

McKesson, based in Texas, was ordered to pay $192 million, while Cencora, a Pennsylvania-based drug wholesaler, must pay $74 million. Baltimore accused both companies of failing to report “suspicious orders” of prescription opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone, violating federal law. The city also seeks $9 billion in additional funds to address the crisis.

Mayor Applauds Jury Verdict

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott celebrated the decision, affirming the companies’ role in fueling the city’s opioid crisis. “The opioid overdose epidemic has devastated families and neighborhoods across Baltimore,” he said. From 2017 to 2021, the city averaged 866 opioid-related deaths annually. Nationwide, nearly 81,000 people died from opioid overdoses in 2023, according to the CDC.

A Landmark Legal Victory

This ruling is the first successful verdict against McKesson and Cencora in opioid-related lawsuits. Baltimore filed its case nearly seven years ago, choosing to litigate independently rather than join a national settlement. The city has now secured over $400 million in settlements with companies like CVS, Walgreens, and Johnson & Johnson. Bill Carmody, Baltimore’s lead attorney, called the decision a “key step” toward recovery.

Court documents revealed that McKesson and Cencora ignored their legal duty to report suspicious opioid orders. This negligence enabled dangerous amounts of opioids to flood Baltimore and other communities. McKesson had previously admitted to similar failures in a 2017 settlement with the Department of Justice, agreeing to pay $150 million and suspend operations at several warehouses.

Federal prosecutors sued Cencora in 2022, accusing it of ignoring hundreds of thousands of suspicious orders. That case is ongoing, and both companies deny wrongdoing.

Companies Plan Appeals

Both McKesson and Cencora announced plans to challenge the verdict. A Cencora spokesperson expressed disappointment, claiming the decision complicates efforts to balance medication access with preventing misuse. McKesson also plans to file motions, asserting the jury misunderstood its role as a distributor.

Restitution Funds Target Epidemic Solutions

This ruling brings Baltimore’s opioid restitution fund to $668.5 million. Mayor Scott called the funds “game-changing,” emphasizing their use for prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction programs. Baltimore accounts for 44% of Maryland’s overdose deaths despite representing only 9% of the state’s population. Nearly 80% of opioid use disorder cases in the city begin with prescription drugs before progressing to illicit substances.

In 2023, 125 million opioid prescriptions were dispensed across the U.S., with 8.6 million Americans reportedly misusing them. This decision represents a significant step in holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for their role in the crisis.