Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has announced that eight drug manufacturers have agreed to pay approximately $720 million in nationwide settlements related to the opioid crisis. These settlements involve companies accused of contributing to the opioid epidemic through their products. The agreement allows for a sign-on period for local governments, with New Jersey and its eligible subdivisions potentially receiving up to $19.8 million.
“The harms caused by the proliferation of opioids continue to reverberate and New Jersey residents deserve to see these companies held to account,” said Attorney General Platkin. “We expect State partners to use these funds responsibly to alleviate the suffering in the wake of this manmade substance use disorder epidemic.”
The companies involved and their respective settlement amounts are as follows: Mylan (now part of Viatris) will pay $284,447,916 over nine years; Hikma will pay $95,818,293 over one to four years; Amneal will pay $71,751,010 over 10 years; Apotex will pay $63,682,369 in a single year; Indivior will pay $38,022,450 over four years; Sun will pay $30,992,087 over one to four years; Alvogen will pay $18,680,162 in a single year; and Zydus will pay $14,859,220 in a single year.
These settlements include provisions for states to receive free medication-assisted treatment or cash instead of products. Additionally, seven companies that manufacture opioids are prohibited from promoting or marketing these drugs and must implement monitoring systems for suspicious orders. Indivior has agreed not to manufacture or sell opioid products for 10 years but can continue selling medications for treating opioid use disorder.
Assistant Attorney General Lara Fogel and Deputy Attorney General Brian DeVito from the Division of Law’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement Practice Group managed these settlements on behalf of New Jersey.
