Kroger settles opioid lawsuit for $68 million

Kroger is the last retailer to pay a settlement in the West Virginia case that involved pharmacies oversupplying opioids in the state. The Cincinnati-based grocer settled at $68 million. Walgreens, Walmart, CVS and Rite Aid also were involved in the lawsuit.

“Although the hundreds of millions of dollars we secured from these companies will not bring back the lives lost from the opioid manace, our hope is that the money would provide significant help to those affected the most by this crisis in the state,” West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said in a statement. He also said the oversupply of prescription opioids have caused significant losses through their past and ongoing medical treatment costs.

Kroger insists allegations made against the company in this and other opioid lawsuits are “without merit,” but it does believe the settlement is the best path forward.

Walgreens ($83 million) and CVS ($82.5 million) ended up paying the most in the settlement. Walmart agreed to $65 million while Rite Aid paid the least at $30 million.

More than 564,000 people have died from opioid overdoses over the last 21 years, leading to a wave of lawsuits against wholesalers and drug companies. To date, the largest settlement is 26 billion.