35 states just rejected a $10B settlement from opioid distributors

Three drug dealers are getting sued by 35 states... The stocks of McKesson Corp, Cardinal Health, and AmerisourceBergen fell on a report from Bloomberg that they offered $10B to settle opioid lawsuits. Those 35 states had a completely different number in mind.

There's plenty to blame for America's opioid epidemic... Purdue Pharma invented (and aggressively marketed) the addictive Oxycontin, while doctors over-prescribed it. Then there are these 3 prescription drug distributors — they hook up pharmacies with the pills (aka the drug dealer's drug dealer). Here's why that $10B they offered to end the whole thing is a problem:

• The allegation: 35 states believe the drug distributors turned their heads to what was obviously a dangerous problem.
• The painful example: Some US counties had over 100 pills distributed per person, per year — to make more profits. 100 opioids per person.
• The counter: Instead of accepting a $10B settlement, the 35 states proposed drug distributors pay up $45B. Big difference.