The first federal trial on the opioid crisis has been scrapped as most of the defendants have reached settlements.
Judge Dan Polster announced from the bench Monday that the drug distributors AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson, along with drugmaker Teva, had reached a settlement in lawsuits filed by Ohio's Cuyahoga and Summit counties.
Cuyahoga County lawyer Hunter Shkolnik says the settlement amounts to $260 million.
Opening statements had been scheduled to start Monday.
The deal resolves this case. But efforts by the companies to settle more than 2,000 other cases on the toll of opioids have not yet been realized. Polster said he is willing to help broker a broader deal, too.
Also Monday, the smaller distributor Henry Schein announced a $1.25 million deal to get out of the trial.
The case against the remaining defendant, Walgreens, is being delayed.
Purdue Pharma, maker of OxyContin, is trying to settle opioid lawsuits through bankruptcy court.
It's not clear what will happen with remaining litigation if the settlements are finalized.
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WATCH: Four drug companies accused of fueling the opioid crisis reached an agreement Monday with Ohio counties to avoid what would have been the first federal opioid trial; prosecutors say the settlement money will help treat those addicted to opioids & assist first responders. pic.twitter.com/rXYIpldqVO
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) October 21, 2019
