Ferguson sues pharmacies over opioid prescriptions
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 10 months AGO
OLYMPIA — Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson is suing three major national pharmacy chains, claiming the three failed to do anything to prevent the state’s opioid epidemic.
Ferguson filed suit in King County Superior Court against Albertsons, Kroger and Rite Aid, and includes Albertsons subsidiary Safeway, Rite Aid subsidiary Bartell Drugs, and Kroger subsidiaries QFC and Fred Meyer, according to the press release. In the lawsuit, Ferguson alleges the retail pharmacies ignored federal regulations and “put profits over safety” by oversupplying prescription opioids in Washington state, the press release said.
“Opioids tore apart Washington families, overburdened our health care system and caused an epidemic of addiction we are still struggling to contain,” Ferguson said in the statement. “My office won a billion dollars to help fund recovery efforts, but I am not done. I will continue to hold accountable the corporations that enriched themselves off the suffering of Washington families.”
The attorney general was referring to a settlement with five other companies — CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Teva Pharmaceuticals and AbbVie subsidiary Allergen — that produced or sold opioids, bringing the state’s total financial recovery to roughly $1.1 billion, the press release said.
Under the agreement, the companies agreed to tighter restrictions and monitoring of opioid prescriptions, the press release said.
ARTICLES BY STAFF REPORT
Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
UPDATE: The road was reopened as of noon, according to a GCSO media release. MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced there is a road closure between Road 3-NE and Road S-NE. There was a serious traffic collision. GCSO is asking for drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.