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CHARLESTON - The state of West Virginia has reached settlements with two prescription drug wholesalers totalling $36 million, state officials announced on Monday.
AmerisourceBergen will pay $16 million and Cardinal Health will pay $20 million, according to the offices of the attorney general and the governor. The terms require AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal Health to pay the full, agreed-upon amounts by March 1.
The settlements resolve allegations by the state on the distribution of controlled substances to licensed and registered dispensers in the state. The Attorney General's Office filed the lawsuit with the departments of Health and Human Resources and Military Affairs and Public Safety.
The awards will support drug abuse prevention and treatment programs.
"We've taken steps to combat drug abuse in West Virginia with distributors, prescribers and pharmacists, and the money from this settlement will help us expand those efforts with additional treatment and long-term recovery options," Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said.
AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal Health deny the allegations of plaintiffs' complaint and any wrongdoing.
The settlements received approval from Tomblin, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and the secretaries of Health and Human Resources and Military Affairs and Public Safety. All parties agreed to the settlement to avoid the delay, expense, inconvenience, and uncertainty of protracted litigation.
With the two settlements, awards exceed $47 million to the state. Previous settlements include $3.5 million from H.D. Smith, $2.5 million from Miami-Luken, $1,865,250 million from Anda Inc., $1 million from Harvard Drug Group, $850,000 from Associated Pharmacies, $400,000 from J.M. Smith Corp., $250,000 from KeySource Medical Inc., $250,000 from Quest Pharmaceuticals, $200,000 from Top Rx and $200,000 from Masters Pharmaceutical LLC.