It was stated that CVS and Walgreens, one of the largest pharmacy companies in the USA, agreed to pay a total of 10 billion dollars in compensation for thousands of lawsuits filed against them due to opioid drugs.
A statement from CVS said they had agreed to a $5 billion settlement designed to “significantly settle” opioid lawsuits against them.
“We are pleased to resolve these long-standing allegations,” the statement said. It is in the interests of all parties, including our customers, colleagues and shareholders, to leave them behind.” statement was included.
“We will continue our own important initiatives to help reduce the illicit use of prescription opioids,” the statement said.
According to the agreement reached with representatives at the state, municipality and tribal level, compensation payments will be made to the parties participating in the agreement within the next 10 years from 2023.
In the statement, it was noted that $ 4.9 billion in the payment will be given to the parties in the lawsuits filed by the states and local governments, and $ 130 million will be given to the indigenous tribes.
In the statement made by the giant pharmacy company Walgreens, it was stated that an agreement was reached on compensation of $ 4.95 billion to be paid over 15 years.
“As one of the largest pharmacy chains in the country, we are committed to being part of the solution, and this agreement will allow us to focus on the health and well-being of our customers and patients, while aiming to contribute positively to the opioid crisis.” statement was included.
In the New York Times, it was written that Walmart also agreed to pay $ 3.1 billion in compensation according to the agreement, but the company did not make a statement on this matter.
In the newspaper’s report, it was particularly unclear how long the contentious negotiations between the plaintiffs and the pharmacy chains lasted, and how many plaintiff state, municipal and tribal representatives were involved in the settlement.
In the lawsuits filed by states, municipalities and indigenous tribes affected by the opioid crisis at different times in the USA, especially CVS, Walgreens and Walmart companies were held responsible for the opioid crisis in the country.
In the lawsuits, it was claimed that the big companies involved made billions of dollars from the opioid epidemic by distributing large amounts of painkillers even though they knew that it would cause addiction in people, and it was argued that these companies had an obligation to distribute opioid pain medications in a controlled manner.
According to federal government records, half a million people have died in the United States since 2001 due to the misuse of opioid drugs.