Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Our spring member drive has ended, but it's not too late to give. You have the power to help fund the essential journalism that keeps us all informed. Help us close the gap on our spring fundraising goal! GIVE NOW

Utah Attorney General files lawsuit against three major pharmaceutical chains

Marques Thomas
/
Unsplash

On behalf of the state of Utah, Attorney General Sean D. Reyes has filed a lawsuit against three major pharmaceutical chains, Walgreens, Smith’s/Kroger, and Rite-Aid.

The lawsuit claims that the chains in question “improperly distributed prescription pain medication and actively exacerbated the opioid crisis.”

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

The lawsuit claims that specific Walgreens locations had received enough deliveries that they had to store boxes in unsecured locations and that Smith’s/Kroger had failed to report their suspicious orders to control the supply of opioids across the state.

On top of other accusations, the lawsuit alleged that the companies had been working together to increase profits and lobby against restrictions of using and enforcing the opioids.

Jared Gereau is pursuing a Journalism major with an emphasis in Social Media at Utah State University. He is planning on using his experience to pursue a career with USU Athletics sometime after he graduates. In his free time, Jared enjoys watching movies, playing games and creating content for his YouTube channel.