AG Ferguson: Opioid distributors to pay $518 million to Washington state

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SEATTLE — Six months after taking the three largest distributors of prescription opioids to trial, Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced a resolution-in-principle that will deliver approximately a half-billion dollars to Washington to combat the opioid epidemic.

The Washington Attorney General’s trial against McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp. began in King County Superior Court on November 15 — more than two years after Ferguson filed a lawsuit against the three large corporations for helping to fuel the opioid epidemic.

As a result of today’s announced resolution, these three opioid distributors will pay a total of $518 million. More than $476 million will be directed toward addressing the opioid epidemic.

Ferguson rejected a national settlement between the three opioid distributors in order to take these entities to trial. Ferguson’s decision will result in Washington receiving $46 million in additional resources from the distributors to provide substance abuse treatment and support other strategies to address the opioid crisis, including housing and other wrap-around services.

“We could have joined the overwhelming majority of states and settled with the the largest opioid distributors, but we chose to fight them in court instead,” Ferguson said. 

“That decision to take them to court will result in significant additional resources for Washington to combat the opioid epidemic. These resources will increase prevention efforts and help Washingtonians in need, including providing necessary wrap-around services for those experiencing homelessness as a result of their substance abuse disorder. 

"This is a historic resolution — one of the largest in state history. We forced these companies to stand trial for their conduct. Washingtonians will receive approximately one half billion dollars to combat the opioid epidemic — including $46 million more than Washington would have received if we had accepted the national settlement last year.”

This is part of a wider effort by Ferguson to combat the opioid epidemic and recover resources to address the ongoing crisis.

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