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Michigan sues four firms including Walgreens over deadly opioid epidemic Michigan sues four firms including Walgreens over deadly opioid epidemic
(1 day later)
Move against quartet makes Michigan the 49th state to have filed some kind of legal action against the opioid industryMove against quartet makes Michigan the 49th state to have filed some kind of legal action against the opioid industry
Michigan has sued four companies over the deadly painkiller epidemic, becoming what state attorney general Dana Nessel said is the first state to sue major opioid distributors under a liability law that is typically used to go after drug dealers.Michigan has sued four companies over the deadly painkiller epidemic, becoming what state attorney general Dana Nessel said is the first state to sue major opioid distributors under a liability law that is typically used to go after drug dealers.
The lawsuit was filed in Wayne county and names as defendants AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, McKesson and Walgreens, which have also been sued in other states. The move makes Michigan the 49th state to have filed some kind of legal action against the opioid industry. Only Nebraska has not.The lawsuit was filed in Wayne county and names as defendants AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, McKesson and Walgreens, which have also been sued in other states. The move makes Michigan the 49th state to have filed some kind of legal action against the opioid industry. Only Nebraska has not.
Nessel said Michigan’s suit is different because it targets distributors under a 1994 state law that was enacted to combat illegal drug trafficking. The law lets people and governmental entities sue drug dealers for damages, even if the dealer did not make a sale specifically causing an injury.Nessel said Michigan’s suit is different because it targets distributors under a 1994 state law that was enacted to combat illegal drug trafficking. The law lets people and governmental entities sue drug dealers for damages, even if the dealer did not make a sale specifically causing an injury.
The companies “all used their licenses to distribute controlled substances in Michigan as a cover for what is essentially a criminal enterprise,“ Nessel said during a news conference attended by governor Gretchen Whitmer and the state’s chief medical executive. “They knowingly and deliberately distributed drugs in our state without controls. This was not only negligent. It was unlawful, a public nuisance.” The companies “all used their licenses to distribute controlled substances in Michigan as a cover for what is essentially a criminal enterprise”, Nessel said during a news conference attended by governor Gretchen Whitmer and the state’s chief medical executive. “They knowingly and deliberately distributed drugs in our state without controls. This was not only negligent. It was unlawful, a public nuisance.”
The suit says more than 2.8bn opioid pills were distributed in Michigan between 2006 and 2012. McKesson distributed more than 500 million, with Walgreens _ which distributes opioids and also dispenses prescriptions at its stores _ “not far behind,” according to the complaint. Those who bought the drugs first needed to obtain a doctor’s prescription. The suit says more than 2.8bn opioid pills were distributed in Michigan between 2006 and 2012. McKesson distributed more than 500m, with Walgreens – which distributes opioids and also dispenses prescriptions at its stores – “not far behind,” according to the complaint. Those who bought the drugs first needed to obtain a doctor’s prescription.
Michigan had nearly 2,600 overdose deaths in 2018, of which 2,036 were opioid-related. It was the first decline in six years.Michigan had nearly 2,600 overdose deaths in 2018, of which 2,036 were opioid-related. It was the first decline in six years.
Nessel said the four companies owe Michigan for increased costs related to law enforcement, drug rehabilitation, early childhood and special needs education, and health care, including for infants born to opioid-dependent women. She said she hoped Michigan could recoup more than $1 billion from the industry. Nessel said the four companies owe Michigan for increased costs related to law enforcement, drug rehabilitation, early childhood and special needs education and healthcare, including for infants born to opioid-dependent women. She said she hoped Michigan could recoup more than $1bn from the industry.
A Walgreens spokesman said the company doesn’t comment on pending litigation. AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson didn’t immediately reply to messages seeking comment.A Walgreens spokesman said the company doesn’t comment on pending litigation. AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson didn’t immediately reply to messages seeking comment.
Nessel, a Democrat who took office nearly a year ago, said it took Michigan longer to sue than other states and local governments in part because her predecessor, Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette, didn’t do “a damn thing” to move forward with lawsuits that are “critical in regards to getting the finances that we need and that our state deserve as we tackle this incredibly devastating epidemic.” Nessel, a Democrat who took office nearly a year ago, said it took Michigan longer to sue than other states and local governments in part because her predecessor, Republican attorney general Bill Schuette, didn’t do “a damn thing” to move forward with lawsuits that are “critical in regards to getting the finances that we need and that our state deserve as we tackle this incredibly devastating epidemic”.
In response, Schuette said he would “make no apologies” for what he said was an aggressive approach to fighting opioids. In response, Schuette said he would “make no apologies” for what he said was an aggressive approach to fighting opioids.