A recent CNN article discussed the latest in the ongoing saga of opioids in the United States. A trial involving three major opioid distributors began last week in West Virginia, claiming they created a public nuisance by failing to monitor, divert or report suspicious orders under the Controlled Substances Act. The three co-defendants are McKesson Corporation, AmerisourceBergen, and Cardinal Health. Between 2006 and 2014, they distributed more than 57 million doses of hydrocodone and oxycodone to a community of roughly 100,000 people.
Cardinal Health and McKesson declined to comment to CNN, but AmerisourceBergen claims the company is not responsible for the over-prescription of opioids to consumers. “AmerisourceBergen had no role in working with the DEA to set quotas, nor did we interact with physicians or patients to recommend particular medications,” their statement said.
