Judge denies drug firms’ request to dismiss lawsuit

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A Boone County judge has denied a request to dismiss the state’s lawsuit against a dozen drug distribution companies.

Circuit Court Judge William Thompson ruled that the Department of Health and Human Resources and the Department of Military Affairs can sue the companies. But he directed the agencies to add details to the lawsuit about how each company broke the law.

Former Attorney General Darrell McGraw filed the lawsuit in 2012. It alleges that the companies failed to report suspicious prescription drug orders and didn’t establish monitoring programs to stop the proliferation of drug sales.

The companies sought to have the lawsuit dismissed. Their lawyers argued that the state agencies didn’t have sufficient grounds to sue the companies.

The Charleston Gazette reports that Thompson issued his ruling last month.