Since March, five drugmakers and distributors have reached settlements in opioid-related cases brought against them by various states and the federal government.
The settlements:
1. Teva Pharmaceuticals. Teva Pharmaceuticals agreed to pay Oklahoma $85 million to resolve the state's claims that the company helped fuel the opioid epidemic with deceptive marketing practices. The settlement helped Teva sidestep a trial that began May 28.
2. McKesson. McKesson agreed to pay $37 million to West Virginia to resolve a lawsuit accusing the drug distributor of contributing to the opioid crisis. Under the deal, McKesson will pay $14.5 million up front and $4.5 million annually for the next five years.
3. Purdue Pharma. OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and the billionaire Sackler family will pay $270 million to resolve Oklahoma's claims that the company helped fuel the opioid epidemic. The settlement came two months before the trial against Purdue Pharma, Johnson & Johnson and Teva Pharmaceuticals was scheduled to start. Purdue Pharma agreed to pay $102.5 million to establish a National Center for Addiction Studies and Treatment at Oklahoma State University; $20 million in medicines to help reduce opioid abuse; $12.5 million for counties and cities to undo the effects of the opioid crisis; $60 million for litigation fees; and $75 million spread out over five years to contribute to the center at Oklahoma State.
4. Morris & Dickson. The drug distributor agreed to pay $22 million to the U.S. Justice Department to resolve claims that it failed to report more than 12,000 suspicious opioid orders to the DEA since 2014. The settlement is a one-time payment.
5. Rochester Drug Cooperative. The drug distributor agreed to pay $20 million over a five year-period to resolve a civil case brought against it by the U.S. Justice Department. Prosecutors claimed the distributor helped fuel the opioid epidemic by unlawfully distributing oxycodone and fentanyl. The drug cooperative also agreed to reform its compliance program and allow an independent monitor to supervise the distributor.