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Cabell, Kanawha Counties Sue Drug Distributors
By: Associated Press
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – Two of the state’s most populous counties have become the latest to file lawsuits accusing prescription drug distributors of fueling the local opioid epidemic by shipping too many pain pills.
Media outlets report the commissions for Cabell and Kanawha counties filed separate lawsuits Thursday in federal court.
Kanawha County’s lawsuit names 16 defendants, including several drug giants and retail pharmacy chains. The lawsuit alleges the companies distributed 66 million prescription opioids to the county between 2007 and 2012.
Cabell County’s lawsuit lists nine defendants and says more than 40 million opioids were sold in the county in the same period.
The state has recently settled multiple similar lawsuits against wholesalers for a total of about $47 million. The companies have denied any wrongdoing.