opioids – World Justice News

Sackler family wins immunity from opioid lawsuits

May 31, 2023 World Justice News 0

The billionaire owners of Purdue Pharma will be protected from lawsuits linked to the US opioid crisis in exchange for a $6bn (£4.85bn) settlement. Purdue, which filed for bankruptcy in 2019 amid thousands of lawsuits, […]

CVS and Walgreens agree to pay $10bn to settle opioids lawsuits

November 2, 2022 World Justice News 0

Two of America’s biggest pharmacies have agreed to pay more than $10bn to resolve thousands of lawsuits over their roles in the US opioid crisis. The proposed deals with CVS and Walgreens mark the latest […]

Hospital staff to be interviewed under caution over hundreds of opioid related deaths

September 28, 2022 World Justice News 0

Staff at a hospital being investigated over the deaths of hundreds of patients are to be interviewed under caution by police. An independent police investigation into Gosport War Memorial Hospital in Hampshire is ongoing after […]

US pharmacy chains ordered to pay $650m in Ohio opioids suit

August 18, 2022 World Justice News 0

A federal judge has ruled that America’s three largest pharmacy chains must pay $650.5m (£539.8m) for helping fuel a painkiller crisis in two Ohio counties. In November, a federal court found Walgreens Boots Alliance, CVS […]

Canada trials decriminalising cocaine, MDMA and other drugs

June 1, 2022 World Justice News 0

Canada has announced it will temporarily decriminalise the possession of small amounts of some illicit drugs in British Columbia (BC). The province asked for the criminal code exemption after overdoses claimed more than two thousand […]

Sackler family to pay $6bn for role in US opioid crisis

March 4, 2022 World Justice News 0

The wealthy Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma, is set to pay $6bn (£4.5bn) for its role in America’s opioid epidemic under a new deal. The sum is nearly $1.7bn more than a previous settlement. […]

Johnson & Johnson to pay $230m to settle opioid claim

June 27, 2021 World Justice News 0

US drugs giant Johnson & Johnson is to pay $230m (£165m) to settle claims it fuelled an opioid addiction crisis in New York State. The firm did not admit liability or wrongdoing in settling with […]

US sues Walmart for alleged role in opioid crisis

December 23, 2020 World Justice News 0

The US Department of Justice has accused Walmart of helping to fuel America’s opioid crisis. In a lawsuit, prosecutors said the retailer filled hundreds of thousands of questionable prescriptions and “knowingly” violating vetting rules. Walmart […]

Purdue Pharma to plead guilty in $8bn opioid settlement

October 21, 2020 World Justice News 0

The maker of OxyContin painkillers has reached an $8.3bn (£6.3bn) settlement and agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges to resolve a probe of its role in fuelling America’s opioid crisis. Purdue Pharma will admit […]

Drugs firms reach $260m US opioid settlement

October 22, 2019 World Justice News 0

Four drugs companies have reached a $260m (£200m) deal with two Ohio counties over their role in fuelling the US opioid crisis. The agreement averts a trial that had been scheduled to start in Cleveland. […]

Australia

Australia’s most-decorated living soldier charged over alleged war crimes

April 7, 2026 0

Australia’s most-decorated living soldier has been charged over allegations he committed war crimes in Afghanistan. Ben Roberts-Smith – who left the defence force in 2013 – was arrested at Sydney airport on Tuesday and will […]

Human Rights

‘The gravest crime against humanity’: What does the UN vote on slavery mean?

March 28, 2026 0

The United Nations General Assembly this week overwhelmingly backed a resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade “the gravest crime against humanity”. Welcoming the vote, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the wealth of many Western […]

Human Rights

Leading anti‑racism activist in Tunisia jailed for eight years

March 21, 2026 0

A Tunisian court has sentenced human rights activist Saadia Mosbah to eight years in prison and fined her £26,000 ($35,000). Mosbah, who leads the anti-racism group Mnèmty, had been charged with money laundering and illicit […]