Grocery Giant Kroger Must Pay $29M To VA For Role In Opioid Crisis

VIRGINIA — The supermarket giant Kroger, which owns Harris Teeter and other prominent grocery chains, has agreed to pay Virginia up to $29.4 million for the company's alleged role in the opioid crisis.

The high-dollar amount is part of a $1.37 billion settlement agreement reached in September 2023 and finalized Monday with Ohio-based Kroger following a complaint initiated by dozens of states, including Virginia.

The settlement resolves allegations that Kroger failed to appropriately oversee the dispensing of opioids at its pharmacies and, therefore, helped fuel a public health disaster.

According to the finalized settlement agreement, several Native American tribes, 34 states, and thousands of local governments are entitled to payment.

“This settlement provides the commonwealth with vital funds that will go towards preventing, reducing, and treating addiction in our communities,” Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares said in a statement. “I commend my Consumer Protection team for their diligent work in securing over $29 million for Virginia.”

Kroger operates 123 stores across Virginia under its own name and its subsidiary Harris Teeter.

In an emailed statement to Patch, a Kroger spokesperson said, "We are pleased that Kroger’s previously announced multistate settlement received enough state and subdivision participation to become effective and binding. The finalization of this settlement, originally reached in September 2023, will deliver over $1.2 billion in support of opioid abatement efforts nationwide while resolving nearly all the outstanding opioid-related claims against the company.

"Kroger will continue to combat opioid abuse, and it remains focused on providing fresh and affordable groceries to communities across the country."

The Kroger settlement is one of many high-profile multi-state agreements announced over the last several years involving opioids and prescription drug manufacturers, wholesalers, consultants and pharmacies.

Walgreens, CVS Health and Walmart reached similar settlements in 2022 totaling about $13 billion. In July, Rite Aid Corporation agreed to settle a similar multi-million-dollar case brought forward by the U.S. Department of Justice.