Ohio files new lawsuit against opioid distributors

The state of Ohio sued four opioid distributors this week, accusing them of engaging in unsafe practices that brought a glut of powerful painkillers into a state that is now struggling with an opioid epidemic (Source: “Ohio sues opioid distributors, says negligence flooded state with powerful painkillers,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, Feb. 27, 2018)

The lawsuit, filed in Madison County Common Pleas Court, claims drug distributors ignored a responsibility to provide effective controls against opioid diversion. The distributors knew the number of painkillers being brought into Ohio far exceeded the number needed for legitimate medical purposes -- an indication some of the drugs were being used improperly, the lawsuit says.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced the lawsuit nine months after the state filed another suit that accuses five pharmaceutical manufacturers of fraudulently marketing opioids. The earlier lawsuit is among hundreds of similar suits that states, counties and cities across the U.S. have filed against manufacturers.

The 117-page lawsuit filed Monday names McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health and its subsidiaries, AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp. and Miami-Luken as defendants.