HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that the Commonwealth could receive as much as $28 million from a sweeping $720 million national settlement involving eight pharmaceutical manufacturers accused of fueling the opioid crisis.
The settlement, unveiled following broad support from attorneys general across the country, holds the companies accountable for their roles in exacerbating addiction and overdose deaths. Pennsylvania’s share depends on the level of participation by local governments during an upcoming sign-on period.
“This money will go directly to our communities, helping to fund critical prevention, treatment, and recovery programs,” said Attorney General Sunday. “It is another step forward in our commitment to combat the opioid epidemic and support families across Pennsylvania.”
The settlement follows closely on the heels of a $7.4 billion agreement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, which is expected to bring up to $200 million to Pennsylvania.
The eight companies involved and their payment commitments are: Mylan (now part of Viatris) at $284 million over nine years; Hikma at nearly $96 million over up to four years; Amneal at $72 million over 10 years; Apotex at nearly $64 million in a single year; Indivior at $38 million over four years; Sun at $31 million over up to four years; Alvogen at nearly $19 million in a single year; and Zydus at almost $15 million in a single year.
In addition to monetary payments, some companies have agreed to provide free pharmaceutical products or equivalent cash payments. Seven of the companies — excluding Indivior — will face strict new restrictions, including bans on marketing opioids, manufacturing high-dose pills exceeding 40 milligrams of oxycodone, and requirements for enhanced monitoring of suspicious orders. Indivior has agreed to stop manufacturing and selling opioid products for at least the next decade but may continue providing medications for opioid use disorder.
These measures reflect continued efforts at the state and national levels to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for their roles in a crisis that has devastated communities across the country.
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