King County, Washington – In a decisive victory for Washington residents, Attorney General Nick Brown announced that a King County judge has ordered Albertsons Companies to pay a $900 million judgment, plus fees and costs, for violating state law by allowing opioid misuse and diversion in its more than 200 pharmacies across the state.
Judge rules Albertsons broke the law
Judge Janet Helson found that Albertsons, operating under the Albertsons, Safeway and Haggen banners, repeatedly filled red‑flagged opioid prescriptions despite clear warning signs of misuse. The court determined the chain filled such prescriptions more than 6.5 million times between 2006 and 2022.
Scale of the problem
The Attorney General’s Office reported that Albertsons dispensed over 641 million opioid pills in Washington during that period. Many of those prescriptions displayed indicators of potential abuse or diversion that were not properly investigated or documented by pharmacy staff.
Corporate profit over safety
State lawyers argued Albertsons prioritized profit over patient safety. According to the AG’s office, the company discouraged pharmacists from flagging risky prescribers, limited information sharing among stores, and failed to maintain rigorous inventory controls for controlled substances.
Theft and staffing concerns
Evidence presented at trial also showed significant thefts from Albertsons locations: more than 70,000 pills were stolen from a Safeway in North Bend over two years, 12,000 from a Leavenworth pharmacy, and 19,000 from an Olympia store. Additionally, the state highlighted chronic understaffing, with pharmacists testifying that it was “impossible” to verify the legitimacy of prescriptions before filling them.
Impact on Washington families
Brown called the judgment “a victory for the people of Washington,” emphasizing that when large corporations put profit above safety, they will be held accountable. While the verdict cannot erase the devastation of the opioid crisis, the funds are expected to bolster treatment programs and prevention efforts throughout the state.
Broader opioid crisis context
The AG’s Office estimates more than 26,000 Washingtonians have died from opioid overdoses since 1999, including over 7,400 deaths in the past three years. Since the state began its opioid litigation in 2022, it has recovered $2.17 billion for state and local governments, with this latest judgment adding to those resources.
Albertsons’ response
Albertsons Companies issued a statement expressing disappointment with the ruling, stating they “disagree with its conclusions” and are reviewing the decision, including potential appeal options. The company praised its pharmacists for their dedication to patients and pledged to continue supporting Washington communities through responsible pharmacy operations.
What’s next?
The judgment will be appealed, and the final amount awarded may be adjusted pending further legal proceedings. In the meantime, the state plans to allocate the recovered funds toward expanding addiction treatment, increasing public‑health outreach, and strengthening oversight of pharmacy practices to prevent future abuse.
Original reporting: KHQ Spokane (news) — read the source article.
