Washington Secures $518 Million In Opioid Lawsuit

OLYMPIA, WA — Three of the nation's largest opioid distributors will pay Washington more than half a billion dollars to resolve a lawsuit alleging they helped fuel the deadly opioid epidemic while making billions of dollars in profits.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced the settlement Tuesday, six months after the trial against McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health inc. and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp. began in King County. Ferguson first filed the lawsuit against the three Fortune 15 companies more than two years ago and rejected a national settlement offer that would have netted Washington a smaller payout.

Ferguson celebrated the outcome Tuesday, calling it a historic win and one of the largest in state history.

"We could have joined the overwhelming majority of states and settled with 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 provide necessary wrap-around services for those experiencing homelessness as a result of their substance abuse disorder. "

Ferguson alleged the three companies shipped massive amounts of oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl and other opioids into Washington, despite knowing the risk of the drugs ending up on the street or impacting people struggling with substance abuse. The Attorney General's office notes prescriptions and sales of opioids soared more than 500 percent from 1997 to 2011, with more than 112 million daily doses prescribed during the state's peak. In 2015, officials estimate right Washington counties had more opioid prescriptions than residents.

Continuing the fight in court secured Washington an extra $46 million, Ferguson's office estimated, for a total of $518 million paid over 17 years. More than $476 million of the funds will go directly to addressing the damage of the opioid epidemic.

According to the Attorney General, those efforts include:

• Improving and expanding treatment for opioid use disorder,
• Supporting individuals in treatment and recovery, including providing comprehensive wrap-around services to individuals with opioid use disorder, including housing, transportation, education, job placement, job training or childcare.
• Addressing the needs of pregnant women and their families, including those with babies with neonatal disorder.
• Preventing opioid misuse, overprescribing and overdoses through, among other strategies, school-based and youth-focused programs, public education campaigns, increased availability and distribution of naloxone and other drugs that treat overdoses, additional training and enhancements to the prescription drug monitoring program.
• Supporting first responders.

The agreement will not be final until each of Washington's jurisdictions sign off on the terms and they are approved by a King County judge. Ferguson's office estimates the remaining money in the settlement will cover millions in trial and legal expenses.

With the latest resolution, the Attorney General's office said opioid-related litigation has recovered more than $714 million, including nearly $185 million paid by Purdue Pharma.