CHARLESTON – As they began arguing their case, the three drug distributor defendants in the bellwether federal trial continued to rest blame on others for fueling the opioid epidemic.
After more than six weeks of testimony, the City of Huntington and Cabell County rested their case July 1. That meant defendants AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson started arguing the companies’ side July 2.
Huntington and Cabell County sued the distribution companies in 2017, seeking the parties be held responsible for their part in the opioid epidemic. Five of 77 pharmacies in Cabell County and Huntington, received over 23.2 million pills between 2006 and 2014 according to DEA data.
CHARLESTON – Three of the nation’s largest pharmaceutical distribution companies pushed for a trial dismissal as the plaintiffs wrapped up their case at the bellwether federal opioid trial.
During a day of motions July 1, the drug distributors maintained the plaintiffs continuously have failed to give substantial evidence of misconduct.
The City of Huntington and Cabell County sued the distribution companies –AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson Corp – in 2017, seeking the parties be held responsible for their part in the opioid epidemic. Five of 77 pharmacies in Cabell County and Huntington, received over 23.2 million pills between 2006 and 2014 according to DEA data. Majestro
On behalf of Cabell County and the City of Huntington, Paul Farrell Jr. motioned to rest the plaintiff’s case, entering a day of motions.
Huntington Mayor Steve Williams (left) leaves the courthouse with City Communications Director Bryan Chambers and attorney Rusty Webb. | Photo by Brittany Hively
CHARLESTON – Wrapping up the plaintiff s case, Huntington Mayor Steve Williams provided emotional testimony detailing his experience in handling the opioid epidemic.
“We had individuals saying we were the epicenter of the opioid epidemic and that smacked me in the center,” Williams said during his sometimes tearful June 30 examination by attorney Anne Kearse. “The hardest part of this is dealing with the family members who have lost someone to this and are lost.
In 2017, Cabell County and the City of Huntington sued the three largest pharmaceutical distribution companies – AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson Corp. – claiming the companies were largely responsible for the opioid crisis after the companies shipped more than 81 million hydrocodone and oxycodone pills to the
shutterstock.com
CHARLESTON – An abatement expert says the total cost for such a plan for Cabell County and Huntington to deal with the opioid epidemic would be at least $2.5 billion.
On June 28, attorney Anthony Majestro, representing Cabell County, called George A. Barrett, an expert witness in the field of forensic economics. Barrett said he was asked to calculate the value of total cost of an abatement plan being composed by a group of epidemiologists. That cost would include abatement, inflation and interest to find the total cost.
Barrett said this calculation was like a lifecare plan and included specific items, unit cost – medical, social work and specifics to occupational wages – and the frequency of use. He also adjusted items for inflation.
CHARLESTON – Testifying in the bellwether opioid trial, a expert witness on pharmaceutical-related abatement programs said he does not believe Cabell County has sufficient treatment programs to fight the opioid epidemic.
The City of Huntington and Cabell County sued three of the nation’s largest pharmaceutical distribution companies – AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson Corp. – in 2017 claiming the companies are largely responsible for fueling the current opioid epidemic that led the area to lead the nation in prescription opioid related deaths and at one-time being named the “epicenter of the opioid crisis.
The federal bench trial, part of a larger national Multi-District Litigation case, resumed June 28 after a weeklong break.