Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) Food City will pay more than $8 million as part of a settlement with the federal government connected to the ongoing opioid epidemic.
It’s the latest news from the U.S. Department of Justice, which announced Monday that K-CA-T Food Stores, Food City’s parent company, had agreed to the settlement.
Court documents said that from Jan. 1, 2011 to Dec. 31, 2018, 24 Food City stores dispensed opioids that were medically unnecessary.
“When pharmacies fill prescriptions for opioids and other powerful controlled substances without regard to their legitimacy or medical necessity it significantly contributes to the opioid epidemic, causing great harm to our citizens and communities,” said U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III for the Eastern District of Tennessee. “This settlement agreement demonstrates that the United States Attorney’s Office and federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, are using all tools available to address the opioid crisis.”
Our news partner WVLT News reached out to K-VA-T Food Stores for a statement, below:
The allegations focused primarily on circumstances from more than a decade ago. K-VA-T has continually disputed the validity of these allegations, and the settlement agreement clearly states there is no admission of liability by K-VA-T. This case is another example of the many cases nationwide brought against manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of opioid products. – K-VA-T Food Stores
In total, $8,488,378 will go to the federal government. Another $78,621 will go to the states of Virginia and Kentucky for claims paid to Food City through state Medicaid programs.
