Econ One’s Dr. Leslie Schafer Contributes to Baltimore’s Landmark Opioid Case Victory

In a significant legal victory, the City of Baltimore has won a $266 million judgment against major drug distributors McKesson and AmerisourceBergen, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against the opioid epidemic. The verdict, delivered by a six-person jury in the Circuit Court for Baltimore, found McKesson responsible for $192 million and AmerisourceBergen for $74 million in damages. This decision comes after a lengthy trial that spanned over six weeks, featuring extensive testimonies and evidence.

Baltimore’s lawsuit accused these companies of fueling the city’s opioid crisis by distributing hundreds of millions of addictive painkillers with little regard for the consequences. The city argued that this reckless distribution led to widespread addiction, with many turning to more potent drugs like heroin and fentanyl when prescriptions ran out. Baltimore has been severely impacted by the opioid crisis, recording 904 overdose deaths in 2022 alone.

Econ One Managing Director Dr. Leslie Schafer played an important role in this case by validating the work of fellow expert and former DEA agent, Mr. Gary Tuggle. Her task was to ensure that the statistical methods he used to identify suspicious opioid orders were reliable. This validation was essential as the law requires distributors to monitor and flag suspicious pharmacy orders. Dr. Schafer’s expertise helped Mr. Tuggle as he argued  the distributors failed in their due diligence, contributing to the jury’s decision.

This case (Mayor and City Council of Baltimore v. Purdue Pharma et al, Circuit Court of Maryland for Baltimore City, No. 24-C-18-000515) is part of a broader legal effort, with over 3,000 similar lawsuits filed across the country. While many have been settled through national agreements totaling around $46 billion, Baltimore opted out of these settlements, aiming for a more substantial outcome. Prior to trial, the city settled with several other opioid distributors for $400 million; far more than it would have received from the multidistrict litigation settlement. The city’s victory not only highlights the impact of the opioid crisis but also underscores the importance of accountability in the pharmaceutical supply chain.