Bring SC’s total potential recoveries from opioid cases to more than $646 million
(Columbia, South Carolina) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that it has agreed to settle the opioid crisis with Teva, Allergan, CVS and Walgreens. These companies have agreed to pay him more than $17.3 billion to settle claims nationwide over the next 15 years. Assuming full county and eligible city participation, his share of funds from these settlements in South Carolina would be $242 million.
Attorney General Wilson said, “The opioid crisis is the worst drug epidemic in U.S. history, caused and fueled by many companies.” We have seen lives lost and families destroyed. So my office and attorneys general across the country have been working for years to hold these companies accountable and change the way they do business. means more South Carolinians live, healthier, and happier.”
In addition to the financial recovery, CVS and Walgreens, along with Walmart, are seeking pharmacies to monitor, report, and share data on questionable activity related to opioid prescriptions in a settlement announced last month by General Wilson, due to an injunction. I agreed to the bailout. Teva and Allergan have agreed to prohibit the promotion of opioids, both directly and through third-party front groups, and to engage in opioid-related lobbying activities. Companies also have to release millions of documents created in lawsuits. This injunctive relief will help ensure that a crisis like this never happens again.
Under the terms of these agreements, counties and eligible cities will have the opportunity to review and sign the terms during the first quarter of 2023. As with previous settlements with three major opioid distributors and Johnson & Johnson, the settlement funds should be used to mitigate nearly all opioid crises. Mitigation measures include education, prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services. With the full participation of counties and eligible cities, South Carolina will have her nearly $600 million in funding for opioid reduction over the next 15 years.
Payments are structured to secure early critical support and long-term sustained resources. CVS payments are spread out over 10 years. Walgreens payments are spread over 15 years. Teva’s payments are spread over 13 years and Allergan’s payments are spread over 7 years. With enough sign-ons, payments will begin in late 2023.
