In a substantial move against the opioid distributors and manufacturers accused of fueling the crisis in Baltimore, Mayor Brandon M. Scott has announced a $45 million settlement with the pharmacy giant CVS. According to the Mayor's office, this decision comes on the heels of a similar $45 million agreement with Allergan earlier this summer, as part of the city's determined legal strategy to individually tackle the opioid litigation rather than join a larger, state-level global settlement.

The city's direct approach seems to have paid off, securing funds far exceeding what was initially expected from any such global deal with CVS.  These settlements collectively bring Baltimore's recoveries in its ongoing legal battles to an eye-opening $90 million. Payments from Allergan have already been received, and the CVS settlement is expected to promptly be paid out within this year.

Serving a city that has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic, Mayor Scott expressed his determination for the companies responsible to "pay their fair share to repair the damage they've done to our neighborhoods and families," stressing that "we will not sell the people of Baltimore short," as per the statement obtained by the Mayor's office. Baltimore City Solicitor Ebony Thompson also highlighted the painstaking legal work involved, with the city committed to continuing litigation against any company that fails to acknowledge their role in the crisis.

CVS distributed significant quantities of opioids, including hydrocodone, to its Baltimore pharmacies between 2006 and 2014. Though their market share was only about half a percent, the ongoing litigation incorporates actions against several other defendants who vastly contributed to opioid distribution in Baltimore. With trials set to begin on September 16, the city appears to be equipped to fiercely move forward with its cases against a roster of industry giants such as Johnson & Johnson and Walgreens.