Kroger is the latest company to agree to settle lawsuits over the U.S. opioid crisis.
Kroger agreed to pay up to $1.4 billion over 11 years that includes up to $1.2 billion for state and local governments where it operates. Kroger currently has stores in 35 states including West Virginia.Over the past eight years, prescription drug manufacturers, wholesalers, consultants and pharmacies have proposed or finalized opioid settlements totaling more than $50 billion. The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments later this year on whether one of the larger settlements, involving OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, is legal.