Kroger agrees to pay $110 million to Kentucky in a settlement over opioid distribution claims, but denies any wrongdoing.
At a Glance
- Kroger settles with Kentucky for $110 million over opioid distribution claims
- The company allegedly distributed 444 million opioid doses in Kentucky from 2006 to 2019
- Settlement funds will be split between local governments and the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission
- Kroger denies liability but agrees to settle to avoid prolonged litigation
- Kentucky opted out of a multi-state settlement to secure a larger share of funds
Kentucky Secures Substantial Settlement from Kroger
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman has announced a $110 million settlement with Kroger over claims regarding the company’s opioid distribution practices. The lawsuit alleged that Kroger played a role in fueling the state’s opioid crisis by dispensing an enormous quantity of opioids without adequate monitoring systems in place.
According to the lawsuit, Kroger filled prescriptions for approximately 444 million opioid doses in Kentucky from 2006 to 2019, accounting for about 11% of all opioids dispensed in the state during that period. The legal action claimed that Kroger lacked an internal monitoring system to report suspected abuse and failed to report any suspicious prescriptions in Kentucky between 2007 and 2014.
Kentucky to get $110M in historic opioid settlement with Kroger | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/XpSyrJG0WW
— WLKY (@WLKY) January 9, 2025
Kroger’s Response and Settlement Details
While agreeing to the settlement, Kroger has disputed the claims made against them. The company maintains that they have robust training and monitoring systems in place. Despite denying any wrongdoing or liability, Kroger chose to settle to avoid prolonged litigation.
“We are pleased to have reached a settlement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky and we hope the funds will be used to combat opioid abuse in the region,” a Kroger spokesperson said.
The settlement will nearly double Kentucky’s expected funds from recent multi-state opioid settlements. Half of the $110 million will be distributed to Kentucky cities and counties, while the other half will go to the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission. Approximately $18 million of the settlement will cover legal fees, with the remaining $90 million intended for combating opioid misuse in Kentucky.
Kentucky’s Strategic Decision
Kentucky’s decision to opt out of a previous multi-state settlement with Kroger has proven beneficial (not to Kroger). By pursuing a separate agreement, the state secured $110 million instead of an estimated $50 million it would have received as part of the multi-state settlement.
“No state in the country has been more impacted by the drug crisis than Kentucky. And given the widespread presence of Kroger in our Commonwealth, I just wasn’t willing to let states like New York and California get big payouts at Kentucky’s expense,” Attorney General Coleman explained.
This settlement is part of a broader effort to hold companies accountable for their alleged roles in the opioid crisis. Kentucky is expected to receive over $900 million from various opioid-related settlements with manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.
Addressing the Opioid Crisis
The opioid crisis has hit Kentucky particularly hard, with over 2,000 overdose fatalities reported in 2022 alone. The funds from this settlement and others are crucial for supporting recovery efforts and preventing further devastation.
