Provides funds to be used to combat the state’s opioid epidemic
IRVING, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) today announced that it has settled
litigation with the State of West Virginia to resolve all claims
regarding McKesson’s operations in the state.
Under the terms of the agreement, McKesson will pay $14.5 million to the
State this year and an additional $4.5 million per year for the next
five years. Funds from the settlement are to be used in support of state
initiatives to combat the opioid epidemic, including rehabilitation, job
training, mental health and other important efforts.
The agreement does not include any admission of liability, and McKesson
expressly denies wrongdoing. McKesson is committed to working with
others to end this national crisis, however, and is pleased that the
settlement provides funding toward initiatives intended to address the
opioid epidemic.
Helping Fight the Epidemic
As one of the nation’s largest pharmaceutical distributors, McKesson’s
distribution teams deliver life-saving medicines to pharmacies,
hospitals and clinics that serve millions of patients every day. Over
the past decade, as the opioid epidemic evolved rapidly, McKesson has
continually enhanced its expertise, processes and technologies dedicated
to protecting the integrity of the supply chain and preventing diversion.
The company is dedicated to maintaining and continuously enhancing
strong programs designed to detect and prevent opioid diversion within
the pharmaceutical supply chain, while also protecting the availability
of appropriate treatments for patients with serious illnesses and
injuries.
Controlled Substance Monitoring Program (CSMP): In recent years,
McKesson has made significant enhancements to how it monitors and
controls the distribution of controlled substances. McKesson’s CSMP team
brings significant regulatory and anti-diversion expertise to the job.
The company’s program uses sophisticated algorithms designed to monitor
for suspicious orders, block the shipment of controlled substances to
pharmacies when certain thresholds are reached and ultimately report
those orders to the DEA. McKesson is proud of its CSMP and will continue
its efforts to be an industry leader in the fight against prescription
drug diversion.
The opioid epidemic is a complicated public health crisis that must be
addressed through a comprehensive and collaborative approach. McKesson
is committed to engaging with all who share the company’s dedication to
acting with urgency to address this issue and working together to end
this epidemic.
More information about the company’s actions to combat the opioid
epidemic can be found here.
About McKesson Corporation
McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 6th on the FORTUNE
500, is a global leader in healthcare supply chain management solutions,
retail pharmacy, community oncology and specialty care, and healthcare
information technology. McKesson partners with pharmaceutical
manufacturers, providers, pharmacies, governments and other
organizations in healthcare to help provide the right medicines, medical
products and healthcare services to the right patients at the right
time, safely and cost-effectively. United by our ICARE shared
principles, our employees work every day to innovate and deliver
opportunities that make our customers and partners more successful — all
for the better health of patients. McKesson has been named the “Most
Admired Company” in the healthcare wholesaler category by FORTUNE, a
“Best
Place to Work” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and a top military-friendly
company by Military Friendly. For more information, visit www.mckesson.com.
Contacts
McKesson Corporation Contact:
Investors and Financial Media:
Holly
Weiss
972-969-9174
Holly.Weiss@McKesson.com
General and Business Media:
Kristin Chasen
415-983-8974
Kristin.Chasen@McKesson.com