Kentucky's attorney general on Monday filed a lawsuit against Cardinal Health, alleging the company engaged in deceptive business practices to promote the widespread distribution of opioids.
The suit marks the third set of legal actions taken by Attorney General Andy Beshear against drug companies and distributors for their alleged roles in facilitating Kentucky's opioid crisis. On Jan. 22, the attorney general filed a similar lawsuit against McKesson Corp., and in November of last year Mr. Beshear took action against Endo International for allegedly using deceptive marketing tactics while promoting its controversial opioid Opana ER.
"I'm committed to hauling each of these opioid companies into a Kentucky court to answer for their actions that have devastated our families, communities and state," Mr. Beshear said. "Kentucky has lost so much, but a better future is possible. The companies that made billions have a duty to help us create a future. They have a duty to fully fund treatment, prevention, recovery and enforcement efforts."
In a statement to Becker's Hospital Review, Cardinal Health said it is actively engaged in work aimed at solving the opioid crisis, referencing the launch of its Opioid Action Program last November.
"The Opioid Action Program builds on our decade-long work around drug abuse prevention and education," said the drug distributor. "We do not believe litigation is the solution to this problem and will defend ourselves vigorously against baseless lawsuits."
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