Executive pay shouldn't be protected from the cost of opioid legal settlements - STAT

Executive pay shouldn't be protected from the cost of opioid legal settlements - STAT

Drug distributor urged to overhaul executive pay amid opioid lawsuits

Drug distribution giant Cardinal Health has been hit with a slew of lawsuits alleging it fueled the opioid epidemic by failing to flag or stop suspicious painkiller shipments. Now, ahead of Cardinal's annual shareholder meeting today, some investors are calling on the company to rethink how its execs are paid in light of the possible costs of those lawsuits. Their argument: Settlements and fines could be costly, and executives should shoulder some of that bill. Cardinal has already reached a $20 million settlement with West Virginia and a $44 million agreement with the Justice Department.