AGO News Releases With Topic: Health

OLYMPIA — A multi-state lawsuit challenging portions of the federal health care reform legislation will move forward, a Florida Judge ruled today.

Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna will serve as Master of Ceremonies and welcoming speaker at the Opening Celebration of the Washington Prevention Summit from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night.

 Washington State Attorney General announces three drug company settlements  OLYMPIA – Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna announced $3.9 million worth of new settlements with drug companies today. The settlements involve the marketing of drugs in a way that runs afoul of Federal Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. Those marketing practices, government attorneys say, illegally extract money from Medicaid.

 Attorney General McKenna announces latest drug company settlement OLYMPIA – Washington will receive more than $3.2 million in its newest settlement with a drug manufacturer. Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced an agreement with Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc., resolving claims by the federal government and several states regarding the illegal marketing of three drugs.

Nearly 100 sites in Washington sites join DEA’S nationwide effort  OLYMPIA — The abuse of prescription drugs inflicts a deadly toll in Washington state. Painkillers, such as Oxycontin and Vicodin soothe chronic pain and improve lives.  But such painkillers are increasingly abused by those who mix them with other drugs and alcohol or even crush and smoke them for a quick — and sometimes deadly — high.  Unused or expired painkillers left in medicine cabinets are contributing to the problem.

State Attorney General’s Office partners with Drug Enforcement Administration to promote prescription drug safety OLYMPIA — Prescription painkillers — often stolen and abused — are helping fuel an overdose epidemic in Washington state. Drug overdoses now kill more Washington residents than car accidents. Because of this epidemic, The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other government, community, public health and law enforcement partners are working together to help the public safely dispose of expired or unused medications on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The DOJ today argued its motion to dismiss a multi-state lawsuit, brought by 20 states including Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and Attorney General Rob McKenna, two individuals and the National Federation of Independent Business. The argument centered on whether the states and other plaintiffs even had a right to bring the case.

 McKenna will hold short telephonic media availability OLYMPIA — The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will make its second argument before a US District Court judge this week as it continues to fend off constitutional challenges to the nation’s new health care law.

Washington state receives nearly $1.2 million from makers of Topamax OLYMPIA – Attorney General Rob McKenna announced today that Washington state has joined with other states in reaching an agreement with the manufacturer of a drug to treat epilepsy and migraines.

OLYMPIA – Elected officials from 20 states challenging portions of the federal health care bill today filed a response to the Department of Justice’s motion to dismiss their lawsuit, on the heels of a decision earlier this week by a Virginia judge to reject the federal government’s motion to dismiss that state’s health care lawsuit.