New Mexico reached a net $132 million agreement with CVS, Walmart and Albertsons over allegations the retail giants reaped large profits from selling addictive opioids to patients, the Albuquerque Journal reported Dec. 20.
The three companies, all of which denied wrongdoing, will pay a total of about $189 million to the state, including attorney fees. The $132 million figure will be put toward opioid abuse treatment in New Mexico.
The new settlements, combined with previous agreements with opioid manufacturers, distributors and retailers, will bring approximately $368 million to New Mexico to pay for opioid abatement programs statewide, the report estimated.
In a separate case, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson's office is suing Kroger, Albertsons and Rite Aid over similar allegations in that state.
At the same time, Mr. Ferguson also said Dec. 21 that Washington signed multistate resolutions with CVS, Walgreens and Walmart, as well as Teva and Allergan pharmaceutical companies, for their roles in the opioid crisis. Those resolutions could bring a combined $434.4 million to the state, the Seattle Times reported.