Walgreens played a dual role in exacerbating Kentucky's opioid epidemic as a distributor and pharmacy, Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear claimed in a June 14 lawsuit against the retail giant.
Filed in Boone Circuit Court, the lawsuit alleges Walgreens partook in deceptive business practices by "excessively distributing and dispensing opioids in Kentucky and for failing to legally report to state and federal authorities the suspiciously large orders it received for prescription opioids," according to Mr. Beshear.
"At the store level, upon information and belief, Walgreens dispensed opioids at such an alarming rate and volume that there could be no legitimate medical purpose associated to their use," according to the 66-page complaint.
Walgreens' distribution and dispensing of opioids at 70 stores statewide contributed to increasing opioid-related misuse, overdoses and deaths in Kentucky, according to Mr. Beshear.
Walgreens declined NPR's request for comment on the lawsuit, citing pending litigation.