Opioid Epidemic – The News Desk

Rite Aid files for bankruptcy amid opioid-related lawsuits and falling sales

16Oct

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Rite Aid files for bankruptcy amid opioid-related lawsuits and falling sales

Philadelphia — Major U.S. pharmacy chain Rite Aid said Sunday that it has filed for bankruptcy and obtained $3.45 billion in fresh financing as it carries out a restructuring plan while coping with falling sales and opioid-related lawsuits.In 2022, Rite Aid settled for up to $30 million to resolve lawsuits alleging pharmacies contributed to an oversupply of prescription opioids. It said it had reached an agreement with its creditors on a financial restructuring plan to cut its debt and position itself for future growth and that the bankruptcy filing was part of that process. The plan will "significantly reduce the company's debt" while helping to "resolve litigation claims in an equitable manner," Rite Aid said. In March, the Justic...

Kroger to pay up to $1.4 billion to settle lawsuits over its role in opioid epidemic

Kroger said Friday that it will pay up to $1.4 billion over 11 years to settle most of the litigation against the grocery giant stemming from the opioid epidemic that has ravaged the U.S. for more than a decade.Kroger, one of the country's largest supermarket and drugstore chains, said the money will go to states and local governments, including $36 million to Native American tribes, to help fund treatment and other efforts to deal with the ongoing crisis. Another $177 million will go to cover attorney costs and related legal fees. Kroger has stores in 35 states, and 33 would be eligible for money as part of the deal. The company previously announced settlements with New Mexico and West Virginia. "This is an important milestone in the company's efforts ...

“The Forgotten Ones” highlights opioid crisis in Minneapolis’ East African community

MINNEAPOLIS – It's a struggle many in the East African community suffer through silently.Opioid addiction is impacting young and old, and now a documentary – "The Forgotten Ones" – is being released in order to break down stigmas and encourage support.Abdirahman Warsame is the film's producer."Through the storytelling you know, people will start to empathize. And through that empathy we hope to create connection because the opposite of addiction and sobriety is connection," Warsame said.He says this story needed to be told. MORE NEWS: Minnesota Poison Control reports "alarming" rise in opioid poisoning in young children"So many people are struggling all around, and I feel like there's such a disparity in resources," Warsame said. "Being a Somali immigrant, there's no data collectio...