Snohomish County Council authorizes joining multidistrict settlement for six pharmacy defendants

SNOHOMISH COUNTY — Following an executive session on pending litigation, the Snohomish County Council voted unanimously on April 14, 2026, to authorize the county prosecuting attorney or a designee to execute documents needed to join a combined settlement and release for six remnant defendants in a multidistrict litigation.

Vice Chair Lowe moved the motion after the executive session; the motion was seconded and carried 5 to 0. The motion named six remnant defendants that the county would join in the settlement: Associated Pharmacies Inc. and American Associated Pharmacies; J.M. Smith Corporation; Morris & Dixon Company, LLC; Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc.; North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Company, Inc.; and United Natural Foods Inc. (SuperValu).

The clerk had announced an executive session under the state open meetings law, RCW 42.30.110, to discuss pending litigation; the council estimated the executive session would last about five minutes and stated action would follow. After returning from executive session, the council approved the authorization to proceed with joining the settlement.

The vote authorizes the prosecuting attorney or their designee to execute the necessary settlement and release documents on behalf of the county; the transcript does not record settlement amounts or other deal terms.