Attorney General Moody Secures Relief for Opioid Crisis

Distributors & Janssen

As of January 31, 2022, the two settlement agreements have been finalized. Resolving all opioid litigation brought by states and local political subdivisions against the three largest pharmaceutical distributors, McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen (“Distributors”), and one manufacturer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and its parent company Johnson & Johnson (collectively, “Janssen”). The settlements require the Distributors and Janssen to pay billions of dollars to abate the opioid epidemic. Specifically, the Settlements require the Distributors to pay up to $21 billion over 18 years and Janssen to pay up to $5 billion over no more than 9 years, for a total of $26 billion (the “Settlement Amount”). Of the Settlement Amount, approximately $22.7 billion is earmarked for use by participating states and subdivisions to remediate and abate the impacts of the opioid crisis. To read the news release, click here.

Endo Health Solutions

Attorney General Moody negotiated a $65 million settlement agreement with Endo Health Solutions Inc., a company that allegedly deceptively marketed opioid medications by downplaying the associated risk of addiction. Endo also allegedly failed to monitor, report and negligently shipped suspicious orders of opioid medications. Florida’s non-litigating subdivision have until June 14, 2022, to sign on to the settlement. To read the news release, click here.

CVS Health Corporation, CVS Pharmacy, Inc.

Florida will receive up to $440 million from CVS over 18 years, with a portion of the funds being sent directly to Florida’s cities and counties. All these proceeds must be spent on opioid abatement, including prevention efforts, treatment or recovery services. Attorney General Moody negotiated an allocation with these localities that ensures settlement proceeds will be spent on curbing the opioid epidemic. More than 240 subdivisions agreed to that allocation deal as part of signing onto prior terms. The remainder of the monies will go to pay fees and costs incurred by the state and by the cities and counties. To view the signed CVS settlement, click here.

Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd.

Florida will receive up to $177,114,999 from Teva over 15 years, with a portion of the funds being sent directly to Florida’s cities and counties to be used on opioid abatement, including prevention efforts, treatment or recovery services. Additionally, Teva will provide the State with $84 million worth of the company’s Naloxone Hydrochloride product. Naloxone Hydrochloride is an opioid reversal medication that temporarily reverses the effects of opioids when an overdose occurs. The remainder of the monies will go to pay fees and costs incurred by the state and by the cities and counties. To view the signed Teva settlement, click here.

Allergan Finance, LLC.

Florida and its subdivisions will receive up to $122 million from Allergan over 11 years to be spent on opioid abatement, including prevention efforts, treatment, or recovery services. The remainder of the monies in the settlement will go to pay fees and costs incurred by the state and by the cities and counties. To view the signed Allergan settlement, click here.

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. and Walgreen Co.

Florida will receive up to $620 million from Walgreens over 18 years, with a portion of the funds being sent directly to Florida’s cities and counties. All these proceeds must be spent on opioid abatement, including prevention efforts, treatment or recovery services. Attorney General Moody negotiated an allocation with these localities that ensures settlement proceeds will be spent on curbing the opioid epidemic. The remainder of the monies will go to pay fees and costs incurred by the state and by the cities and counties. To view the signed Walgreens settlement, click here.

Walmart

Florida will receive up to $215 million from Walmart on the effective date of the agreement. As with previous settlements a portion of the funds will be sent directly to Florida’s cities and counties, and all proceeds must be spent on opioid abatement, including prevention efforts, treatment or recovery services. In addition, Walmart has agreed to partner with the state to distribute 672,000 Naloxone kits to first responders over the next 10 years. To view the signed Walmart settlement, click here.

These settlements will help bring desperately needed relief to Americans and Floridians who are struggling with opioid addiction. For more information about the settlements click “Learn More” below.