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Attorney General Says He Wants Drug Makers He's Suing To "Come To The Table" - And Bring Money

Karen Kasler

Ohio’s attorney general says the state needs to be doing more to fight the opioid crisis, which last year killed an average of 11 Ohioans a day. The AG says he’s putting pressure on the drug companies the state is already suing.

Attorney General Mike DeWine said he’s told those five drug manufacturers they have 30 days to come forward with money – but he wouldn’t reveal what further action he’s considering if they don’t.  And DeWine also said he wants drug distributors to pay up too, though the state’s not suing them – for now. “No announcement today on a lawsuit against the distributors," Dewine said. "What we have said, though, is that we’re asking them to come to the table and they need to do what’s right.”

DeWine – who is running for the Republican nomination for governor – also said he has12 recommendations to fight the crisis, including legislation to give the governor the power to declare a public health emergency, more data sharing among law enforcement, more drug courts, and the doubling of treatment capacity. But he admitted the cost of all that would be in the billions.

Contact Karen at 614-578-6375 or at kkasler@statehousenews.org.
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