Attorney General Mike DeWine filed a lawsuit Monday against four drug distributors, alleging the companies created a public nuisance through unsafe distribution tactics that resulted in the oversupply of opioids in Ohio.
The suit names McKesson, Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen and Miami-Luken as defendants. The companies have previously denied similar charges made in multiple lawsuits filed on behalf of state, local and city governments, according to a report from Reuters.
"We believe the evidence will show that these companies ignored their duties as drug distributors to ensure that opioids were not being diverted for improper use," Mr. DeWine said. "They knew the amount of opioids allowed to flow into Ohio far exceeded what could be consumed for medically-necessary purposes, but they did nothing to stop it."
In May 2017, Mr. DeWine filed a lawsuit against five opioid manufacturers, accusing the companies of engaging in fraudulent marketing and subsequently fueling the opioid epidemic in Ohio.
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