In a landmark move, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a substantial settlement from eight pharmaceutical companies, which will pay out a combined $720 million over their roles in the opioid crisis. This settlement promises to deliver resources essential for combating the ongoing epidemic that has devastated communities across New York and beyond. The state's share will amount to $38.7 million, which is part of a broader initiative that has already garnered more than $3 billion for opioid abatement, treatment, and prevention efforts in New York.
Attorney General James did not mince words in her announcement, stating, "For years, drug companies prioritized profits at the expense of struggling New Yorkers who became trapped in deadly opioid addictions." She affirmed her commitment to continue to aggressively seek accountability and support for those affected by the crisis. The funds aim to begin to repair the extensive damage done by opioids in affected communities. According to a statement obtained by the New York Attorney General's office, these resources will support various initiatives from treatment programs to preventative measures against further addiction.
Mylan (now part of Viatris) is set to pay the largest amount of $284.4 million over nine years. Other companies include Hikma, which will pay almost $95.8 million; Amneal, contributing $71.75 million; and Apotex, slated to pay $63.68 million in just one year. Additional payments will come from Indivior, Sun, Alvogen, and Zydus, with settlements ranging between $14.8 million and $38 million each. Beginning as soon as 2026, the companies will start their payments and also provide $14 million in additional funding along with an approximate $86 million value in opioid addiction treatment medications or equivalent cash contributions to states.
Besides Indivior, all companies will be prohibited from promoting or marketing opioid-related products and barred from selling any product containing over 40 mg of oxycodone per pill. They must also to quickly put in place rigorous systems for monitoring and to report suspicious orders. Only Indivior will retain the right to market and sell medications designed to treat opioid addiction over the next 10 years. The negotiation team for New York was led by Monica Hanna, special counsel, and Assistant Attorney General Matthew Conrad, backed by a team of experts, highlighting the significance and collaborative effort behind these settlements.
The aggressive pursuit of accountability from opioid manufacturers has marked Attorney General James as a national figure in tackling the epidemic. These new settlements build on past victories, which have seen billions recovered from notable companies such as Purdue Pharma and Johnson & Johnson. Moreover, multistate coalitions have won settlements against CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart over their roles in the mismanagement of opioid prescriptions.
