Hospitals across West Virginia file suit against pharmaceutical companies

MOUNDSVILLE — A slew of hospitals operating throughout West Virginia filed a lawsuit in Marshall County Circuit Court Monday against a number of pharmaceutical companies.

The hospitals and hospital networks filing as plaintiffs in the case are:

— Appalachian Regional Healthcare

— Bluefield Regional Medical Center

— Charleston Area Medical Center

— Davis Health System Affiliates

— Grafton City Hospital

— Greenbrier Valley Medical Center

— Monongalia Health System Affiliates

— Plateau Medical Center

— West Virginia University Health System

Among the more than 20 defendants in the case are: companies involved in the process of distributing opioids, including AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation; others involved in marketing opioids, including Purdue; and national retail pharmacies involved in selling the drugs, including CVS, Rite-Aid and Walmart.

The suit alleges the companies, through their various roles in the marketing, distribution and sale of opioid medication, created and perpetuated the ongoing opioid crisis.

"Defendants systematically and repeatedly disregarded the health and safety of the public," the complaint alleges. "Charged by law to monitor and report dangerous behavior, they failed to do so in favor of maximizing corporate profits and increasing their market share."

Read more: https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/hospitals-across-wv-file-suit-against-pharmaceutical-companies/article_8bf5b79a-9b2c-52bc-91c0-bb8a99ca7ebc.html

The hospitals are suing for unreimbursed costs for treatments related to the opioid crisis.