Attorney General Announces $5 Billion Opioid Settlement Agreement with CVS

Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Jan. 3 that California entered into a $5 billion deal with CVS to settle allegations that CVS contributed to the opioid crisis by failing to properly oversee opioid dispensing at pharmacies. announced that it was part of a multilateral settlement agreement.

The settlement is expected to provide California with up to $469.8 million in funding, most of which will be used to combat the opioid crisis, including treatment and recovery services for people suffering from opioid use disorders. increase. Today’s approval follows similar announcements he made about Walmart and Walgreens in recent weeks.

“Today we begin the year with another victory in the fight to hold big corporations to a role in facilitating the opioid crisis,” said Attorney General Bonta. Too many people have had their lives and futures ripped apart by the opioid crisis.The funds from this settlement will help bring much-needed relief to our community and help CVS avert such a crisis. As we enter the new year together, my resolve is to never stop fighting for justice on behalf of all Californians, It’s all about doing our part to create a healthier future for all of us.”

The settlement also includes extensive court-ordered requirements to prevent this type of crisis from happening again. This includes a variety of regulations, including investigations of red flags and questionable prescriptions before dispensing drugs, site visits, and compliance reviews of individual pharmacy locations.

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee Negotiators for this deal were led by an executive committee consisting of the Attorneys General of the state, Texas.

If enough states sign the settlement, the agreement will be sent to local governments nationwide for signature in the first quarter of 2023.