Kroger agrees to pay $110 million to settle Kentucky opioid lawsuit

Kroger will pay $110 million to settle a Kentucky lawsuit claiming its pharmacies contributed to the opioid crisis by dispensing over 444 million doses of painkillers from 2006 to 2019. Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced the settlement, which is separate from a previous $1.4 billion deal Kroger reached with other states. The lawsuit alleged Kroger ignored warning signs of drug diversion and continued to supply opioids at high rates. Kroger did not admit wrongdoing but stated it hopes the funds will help combat opioid abuse in Kentucky. The settlement amount exceeds what Kentucky would have received in the earlier agreement.