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Ohio judge orders opioid makers to face October trial

A U.S. District Court judge in Ohio has ordered that opioid makers must face an October trial to determine whether the companies' marketing practices contributed to the painkiller addiction crisis.

Defendants in the trial include pharmaceutical companies Johnson & Johnson, Endo International PLC, Purdue Pharma LP, Allergan PLC, Mallinckrodt PLC and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., as well as several pharmacy operators and distributors.

Judge Dan Polster rejected the companies' efforts to have the case dismissed, ensuring that they will face the trial scheduled for Oct. 21. Two Ohio counties have come together to bring the case.

"A factfinder could reasonably infer that these failures were a substantial factor in producing the alleged harm suffered by plaintiffs," Polster wrote in one of seven decisions made Sept. 3.

The orders come to light after a judge in Oklahoma ruled Aug. 26 that Johnson & Johnson must pay more than $572 million to the state for its role in the opioid epidemic, a ruling that the company said it will appeal.

OxyContin maker Purdue has been reported to be approaching a possible $10 billion to $12 billion settlement for all of their opioid cases, and Allergan has settled with the state of Ohio for $5 million.