Posted: 4:15 AM Jun 27, 2012

West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw alleges 14 pharmaceutical drug distributors have helped fuel the state's painkiller abuse epidemic.

McGraw announced Tuesday that he's filing a pair of lawsuits in Boone County Circuit Court against the companies.

The lawsuits ask a judge to require the distributors to flag suspicious drug orders to the state Board of Pharmacy. It seeks to ensure the companies halt all shipments to the state that aren't for legitimate medical purposes.

McGraw also wants a court-ordered program to monitor the health of prescription drug users. The lawsuits seek damage awards as well.

One defendant company declined to comment on the lawsuits Tuesday, but said it guards against the sort of practices they allege. At least two were recently targeted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

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