Walgreens reaches $285m settlement with Nevada for involvement in opioid crisis

**Nevada Reaches $285 Million Settlement with Walgreens in Opioid Lawsuit**

Nevada has reached a $285 million settlement with Walgreens in the final phase of a series of multiyear settlements related to the opioid epidemic. This brings the total anticipated payments from opioid claims in Nevada to $1.1 billion. The state attorney general’s office announced the settlement, stating that seeking justice for those affected by the opioid crisis has been a top priority.

**Walgreens’ Response**

Walgreens declined to comment on the settlement. The company’s spokesperson mentioned in an email to The Associated Press that they have no statement regarding the matter.

**Walgreens as the Final Defendant**

Walgreens is the last defendant named in the lawsuit filed by the state in 2019, according to the attorney general’s office. This settlement will be paid over 15 years and will be divided between the state of Nevada and the signatories of the One Nevada Agreement, which includes Nevada county and city governments.

**Allocation of Settlement**

Out of the $285 million settlement, approximately $98.1 million will be retained by the state. This amount will be placed in a fund created to support opioid recovery programs through the state Department of Health and Human Services. The remaining $116.2 million will be allocated to the coalition formed by Nevada county and city governments.

**Previous Settlements in Nevada**

Prior to the settlement with Walgreens, Nevada reached agreements with other pharmaceutical companies in relation to the opioid crisis. In June, the state reached a $193 million settlement with Teva Pharmaceuticals. Additionally, a $152 million deal was made with CVS in May.

**National Efforts to Address the Opioid Crisis**

The settlements in Nevada are part of a national effort to tackle the opioid crisis. Nationwide, settlements now total more than $50 billion. The funds obtained through these settlements are primarily intended to address the devastating overdose crisis, which is responsible for more than 100,000 deaths per year in the United States.

**Nevada’s Independent Pursuit of Settlement**

While CVS agreed to pay nearly $5 billion to settle opioid-related lawsuits brought by state and local governments, Nevada pursued an independent single-state settlement instead. The state did not join the litigation involving CVS, as it opted to seek its own resolution.

**Nevada’s Involvement in Multistate Settlement**

In April 2022, Nevada also joined a multistate settlement with three of the country’s largest opioid manufacturers. This settlement, totaling $232 million spread over nearly two decades, further demonstrates the state’s commitment to addressing the opioid crisis.

In conclusion, Nevada’s $285 million settlement with Walgreens marks another significant step in seeking justice for the victims of the opioid epidemic. The state’s dedicated pursuit of settlements with various defendants underscores its commitment to addressing the devastating effects of the crisis and providing support for recovery programs. These efforts align with the broader national push to combat the opioid epidemic and prevent further loss of life.