CHARLESTON — The West Virginia Attorney General’s Office, together with the state’s Departments of Health and Human Resources and Military Affairs and Public Safety, have announced combined settlements of more than $4.2 million with five prescription drug wholesalers.
The latest settlements, announced June 23, bring the total paid in excess of $6.7 million to West Virginia by drug companies sued over claims of saturating the state with prescription drugs.
The settlements resolve allegations brought by the three plaintiffs that the distributors failed to detect, report and stop the flood of suspicious drug orders into the state.
The settlements also expand each distributor’s responsibility to report suspicious orders by requiring it alert West Virginia State Police and the Attorney General’s Office.
Anda Inc., The Harvard Drug Group, Associated Pharmacies, KeySource Medical Inc. and Quest Pharmaceuticals make it now six companies to settle in the broader case, West Virginia v. Amerisource Bergen et. al.
The plaintiffs intend to use their portions of settlement funds to further the collective fight against substance abuse in West Virginia. Litigation against the remaining defendants continues in Boone Circuit Court.
Anda, The Harvard Drug Group, Associated Pharmacies, KeySource Medical and Quest Pharmaceuticals denied any allegation of liability as part of the agreement. The lawsuit alleged each of those companies distributed far fewer pills than some other defendants in the case.
The settlements received approval from the Attorney General’s Office, along with Gov. Tomblin's DHHR and DMAPS. All parties agreed to the settlement to avoid the delay, expense, inconvenience and uncertainty of protracted litigation.
Individually, the settlements are valued at $1,865,250 with Anda, $1 million with The Harvard Drug Group and $850,000 with Associated Pharmacies, along with $250,000 each with KeySource Medical and Quest Pharmaceuticals.
Miami-Luken previously entered into a settlement of $2.5 million.
Terms require Anda, The Harvard Drug Group, Associated Pharmacies, KeySource Medical and Quest Pharmaceuticals to pay the full, agreed upon amount within two to 30 days of the settlement’s execution, a time specified within each settlement.