Baltimore Reaches Settlements with Walgreens and Teva
Baltimore has secured major settlements with two pharmaceutical companies—one with Walgreens and another with Teva Pharmaceutical. City officials cast these agreements as part of a sustained push to confront the opioid crisis that has harmed families and neighborhoods across Baltimore.
Settlements Totaling $402.5 Million
On a recent Tuesday, the city announced a settlement with Walgreens tied to allegations that the pharmacy chain contributed to opioid addiction in the community. That deal follows Teva’s agreement to pay $80 million to Baltimore. Taken together, the city says its recoveries tied to these cases now total $402.5 million, reflecting years of legal work aimed at accountability and relief.
What the City and Companies Are Saying
Mayor Brandon Scott praised the outcome and the effort behind it. “We are proud of our efforts to bring these companies to justice over the past several years,” he said. Walgreens, for its part, has continued to deny liability and has said the settlement was reached in the interest of stakeholders.
Trials Still Ahead
Even as Baltimore marks these agreements, more courtroom battles are on the horizon. The city is preparing for trials against remaining defendants, including drugmaker Johnson & Johnson and distributors such as McKesson and Cencora. Those companies face similar accusations about their roles in the opioid epidemic, and their defenses are expected to be vigorously presented in court.
Part of a Broader Legal Wave
Baltimore’s strategy aligns with a nationwide trend. More than 3,000 municipalities have sued drug manufacturers and distributors, alleging the risks of opioid products were downplayed. Those efforts have produced sweeping national settlements—about $46 billion so far—underscoring the scale of the crisis and the legal response to it.
Why Baltimore Went Its Own Way
Unlike many local governments, Baltimore opted out of broader global settlement deals, concluding it could do better by pursuing individual cases. Under a multi-state agreement with Teva, for instance, the city would have received just $11 million spread over 13 years. By choosing its own path, Baltimore sought greater accountability and more substantial compensation to support addiction recovery efforts and related community needs.
The Human Toll
The significance of these settlements isn’t only financial. From 1999 to 2023, more than 800,000 people in the United States died from opioid overdoses. For Baltimore, securing funds and continuing to press its claims are steps toward healing, and toward preventing the next loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What settlements did Baltimore reach?
The city reached agreements with Walgreens and Teva Pharmaceutical. With Teva’s $80 million commitment and the Walgreens settlement, Baltimore says its recoveries tied to these cases total $402.5 million.
Did Walgreens admit fault?
No. Walgreens has denied liability. It says it agreed to resolve the matter because it believes the settlement is in the interest of stakeholders.
Why didn’t Baltimore join the national deals?
City leaders believed Baltimore could recover more through individual lawsuits. As one example, under a multi-state agreement with Teva, the city would have received $11 million over 13 years—far less than what it sought for recovery efforts.
How widespread is the litigation against opioid companies?
More than 3,000 local governments across the country have filed lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors, claiming the companies downplayed the risks of their products.
How severe is the opioid crisis?
From 1999 to 2023, there were over 800,000 opioid overdose deaths in the United States—a stark measure of the crisis Baltimore is trying to address.
