AG Kaul Announces $10.7 Billion in Agreements with CVS and Walgreens over Opioid Epidemic Allegations
December 16, 2022
MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul today announced that the executive coalition of states and attorneys representing local governments have finalized agreements with CVS and Walgreens to resolve allegations that the pharmacies contributed to the opioid addiction crisis by failing to appropriately oversee the dispensing of opioids at their stores. CVS will pay $5 billion, and Walgreens will pay $5.7 billion, totaling $10.7 billion. Under the CVS and Walgreens agreements, Wisconsin is expected to receive over $173 million in opioid abatement funding.
“The hundreds of millions of dollars coming to Wisconsin through agreements like these will have a major impact on efforts to curb substance-use disorder in communities across the state,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “Fighting the opioid epidemic is a top priority at the Wisconsin Department of Justice.”
The terms of this agreement will now go to the states for their review. Each state will have until the end of 2022 to indicate an intent to join, after which the Walgreens and CVS agreements will go to local governments around the country for sign-on during the first quarter of 2023. Nearly all of the settlement funds must be used to remediate the opioid crisis, including prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services.
The payments are structured to ensure critical support in early years as well as sustained resources over time. CVS’s payments will be spread over 10 years; Walgreens’ payments will be spread over 15 years. If there is sufficient sign-on, payments will begin during the second half of 2023.
The negotiations have been led by Attorneys General from North Carolina, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Texas.
View the press release here.
More about the Opioid Crisis
- DHS Seeks Ideas for $8 Million in Opioid Settlement Funds - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Jan 26th, 2023
- MKE County: Six Ways County Will Spend Opioid Settlement Funds - Graham Kilmer - Jan 24th, 2023
- Baldwin Votes to Boost Mental Health Support and Take on the Fentanyl and Opioid Epidemic - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Jan 23rd, 2023
- Gov. Evers Launches Housing Program to Support Individuals Experiencing Homelessness and Opioid Use Disorders - Gov. Tony Evers - Dec 28th, 2022
- AG Kaul Announces $10.7 Billion in Agreements with CVS and Walgreens over Opioid Epidemic Allegations - Wisconsin Department of Justice - Dec 16th, 2022
- Narcan, Fentanyl Testing Strip Vending Machines Planned for Milwaukee - Isiah Holmes - Dec 1st, 2022
- Attorney General Kaul Joins Multistate Effort Urging DEA to Extend Telehealth Capabilities for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment - Wisconsin Department of Justice - Nov 17th, 2022
- Attorney General Josh Kaul Announces $3.1 Billion Agreement with Walmart over Opioid Epidemic Allegations - Wisconsin Department of Justice - Nov 15th, 2022
- Department of Safety and Professional Services’ Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Wins $1.4 million Grant To Improve Service - Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Nov 3rd, 2022
- Legislators Okay $31 Million For Opioid Treatment - Sarah Lehr - Sep 10th, 2022
Read more about Opioid Crisis here
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