CVS, Walmart and Walgreens fueled opioid crisis, US jury finds

Ohio's Trumbull and Lake counties sued five pharmacy chains for causing overdose deaths costing each of the two counties about $1bn

Three retail pharmacy chains recklessly distributed vast amounts of pain pills in two Ohio counties, a federal jury said on Tuesday, in a verdict that could set the tone for US city and county governments that want to hold pharmacies accountable for their roles in the opioid crisis.

Lake and Trumbull counties blamed pharmacies operated by CVS, Walgreens and Walmart for not stopping the flood of pills that caused hundreds of overdose deaths and cost each of the two counties about $1bn, their attorney said.