State of Utah files lawsuit against three pharmaceutical chains

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes has filed a lawsuit against three major pharmaceutical retailers on behalf of the state.

The lawsuit filed this week was made against Walgreens, Smith’s/Kroger, and Rite-Aid. It claimed that the companies "improperly distributed prescription pain medication and actively exacerbated the opioid crisis."

According to a press release, the lawsuit stated that the three pharmacies “deliberately disregarded their duties to maintain effective controls against diversion” and “created an abatable public nuisance.”

It sought payment for damages and for the reduction of opioid use disorder.

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The lawsuit reportedly claimed that some Walgreens locations were receiving so many deliveries that they ran out of space and stored boxes in "unsecured locations." It added that the corporate office was receiving “bonuses” and “incentives” based on the number and speed of prescriptions filled.

It also claimed that Smith’s/Kroger failed to report suspicious orders or otherwise control the supply of opioids flowing into Utah.

The lawsuit said Kroger ignored "obvious red flags" that they allegedly had knowledge of, including that customers were traveling long distances to fill prescriptions and were receiving multiple prescriptions that were being paid for with cash.

"For example, a store in Price, a city of 8,216 people, had a higher-than-average amount of pills purchased. All told, it bought enough oxycodone and hydrocodone over seven years to supply 71 pills per person in the community," the press release stated.

Lastly, the suit alleged that the companies worked together to increase profits and lobby against restrictions to use and enforcement.

It noted that the financial cost to address this crisis, borne by the state and taxpayers, "has been and will be, staggering."

For a list of addiction resources in Utah, visit the Addicted Utah resources page.