Kroger to pay $47.5 million to Washington state to combat fentanyl crisis

SEATTLE — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Tuesday morning that Kroger will pay $47.5 million to the state to fight the fentanyl epidemic.

Ferguson said half of the resources will go to the state and the other half will to Washington city and county governments.

The resolution brings the Washington AG's office's total recoveries directed to opioid abatement funding to more than $1.29 billion. Ferguson said he filed a lawsuit in December 2022 in King County Superior Court against Kroger for "illegally, recklessly and negligently filling opioid orders without adequately investigating 'red flags' of fraud or overprescribing. He filed lawsuits against two other pharmacies, Albertsons and Rite Aid, at the same time."

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“My legal team took on some of the largest corporations in the world and held them accountable for their role fueling the opioid epidemic,” Ferguson said via statement. “We’ve won more than $1.2 billion that’s going to every community in the state to combat the opioid and fentanyl epidemic by improving treatment options, educating youth and supporting first responders.”

The $47.5 million will be paid over 11 years, with the first payment of $4.3 million due within a few months of the resolution being finalized, according to Ferguson.

Ferguson said there are multiple ongoing and active cases against other drug companies still pending.