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AG Beshear Takes Legal Action Against 4th Opioid Distributor

Public Domain

Kentucky’s attorney general is taking another opioid distributor to court.  Andy Beshear has now filed four lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies which he says are responsible for an influx of addictive painkillers into the state. 

In a news conference on Thursday, Beshear announced that he is suing AmerisourceBergen for what he alleges are deceptive business practices that have flooded the commonwealth with opioids.  In the lawsuit filed in Floyd Circuit Court, Beshear accuses the company of violating laws that require pharmaceutical companies to notify law enforcement of suspiciously large volumes of opioids coming into the state.

"Thirty percent of the market is creating 400, 500 opioids for every man, woman, and child over a short period of time," stated Beshear.

West Virginia’s attorney general recently settled similar claims with AmerisourceBergan for $16 million. 

Beshear also has lawsuits pending against other opioid distributors, including Endo Pharmaceuticals, McKesson Corporation, and Cardinal Health.  Money recovered from any settlements with the companies would go into a fund for drug treatment.

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.
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