Kroger Agrees to Pay $1.2 Billion to Settle Opioid Claims
New York TimesSep 19, 2023
The Facts
On Friday, Kroger agreed to pay $1.2B to US states and local governments and $36M to Native American tribes over 11 years to settle a lawsuit that claims its pharmacies helped fuel the opioid crisis by filling painkiller prescriptions.
Though Kroger said that the settlement would allow for "full resolution" of all claims on behalf of the affected parties, the Cincinnati-based retailer insisted it's not an admission of wrongdoing or liability.
The Spin
Narrative A
There's no evidence that opioid makers misrepresented the long-term risks of addictive pain pills or that retailers had lax oversight of their sales. Kroger must defend itself against frivolous claims and lawsuits about opioids left unresolved by this settlement.
Narrative B
Retailers like Kroger must be held accountable for having limited oversight of the sales of prescription pain pills, which allegedly fueled the opioid addiction epidemic. This settlement will ensure that much-needed resources are accessible to communities struck by the opioid crisis.
