Trial Begins in Washington State Suit Against Albertsons over Opioid Epidemic Liability
The attorney general says Albertsons dispensed more than 641 million opioid pills in Washington and ignored red flags while prioritizing profits over safety.
- On Monday, the Washington Attorney General's Office began trial against Albertsons Company in King County Superior Court, alleging the pharmacy chain unlawfully filled over 6.5 million red-flagged opioid prescriptions between 2006 and 2022.
- State attorneys argue Albertsons prioritized profits over safety while dispensing more than 640 million opioid pills, though the company maintains doctors alone bear responsibility for prescribing standards and that it followed prevailing medical guidance.
- Evidence presented includes instances of stores dispensing over 5,000 oxycodone pills to single customers in one month, while prosecutors allege Albertsons' Pharmacy Controlled Substance Analytics Team was too understaffed to monitor for diversion.
- Attorney Enu Mainigi countered that Albertsons operated as "a mirror" to physician decisions, acknowledging isolated mistakes but asserting the company's policies did not substantially contribute to the broader opioid epidemic.
- Scheduled to continue through September, the trial could result in significant liability, adding to the more than $1.3 billion Washington has already recovered for state and local opioid crisis response efforts.
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'Pharmacies are supposed to be the last line of defense': Albertsons on trial for allegedly fueling Washington's opioid crisis
One of Washington’s largest pharmacy networks, Albertsons, is on trial, accused of lax controls that Washington State Attorney General (AG) Nick Brown believes led to millions of opioid pills being funneled into the black market. The trial will determine whether a private company is responsible for helping fuel the opioid addiction epidemic, and whether it should pay to abate a crisis that the AG’s Office said has claimed 7,400 lives in the form…
Trial begins in Washington state suit against Albertsons over opioid epidemic liability
Washington state wants grocery chain Albertsons to pay for its alleged role in fueling an opioid epidemic that has killed thousands here. State Attorney General Nick Brown argues Albertsons dispensed hundreds of millions of opioid pills despite red flags in many cases that should’ve made the company’s pharmacy staff think twice. A trial in the state’s lawsuit against Albertsons began Monday in King County Superior Court. The verdict could resul…
WA vs Albertsons: Trial begins over grocery giant’s alleged role in opioid crisis
The Washington State Attorney General’s Office began its trial Monday against grocery giant Albertsons. The state alleges the company fueled the opioid crisis by failing to resolve warning signs of drug misuse or diversion.
Idaho Capital Sun
Trial begins in WA suit against Albertsons over opioid epidemic liability
(Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)Washington state wants grocery chain Albertsons to pay for its alleged role in fueling an opioid epidemic that has killed thousands here. State Attorney General Nick Brown argues Albertsons dispensed hundreds of millions of opioid pills despite red flags in many cases that should’ve made the company’s pharmacy staff think twice. A trial in the state’s lawsuit against Albertsons began Monday in King County Supe…
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