Drug prescriptions play a significant role in everyone’s lives. A mistake could lead to addiction or a deadly overdose.
With allegations of opioid prescription mishandling contributing to the growing issue of the opioid epidemic, CVS Health Corp, Walmart Inc and Walgreens (known as Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc) have agreed to pay a total of $10 billion in a lawsuit settlement. CVS will be giving $4.9 billion to states and $130 million to Native American tribes. Walgreens will pay $4.79 billion to state, county, and city governments, $154 million to tribes, and $753 for lawyer expenses. All will be paid over the next 10-15 years.
Walmart has tentatively agreed to pay $3 billion according to Bloomberg. States, counties, and cities have yet to confirm before closing the deal.
The proposed deal, if agreed upon by all parties, would be one of the biggest settlements after more than five years of litigation regarding highly addictive opioids.
CVS and Walgreens both issued statements that said agreeing to the payments is not an admission of wrongdoing.
CVS’ Chief Policy Officer, Thomas Moriarty, said that they are “pleased to resolve these longstanding claims and putting them behind us is in the best interest of all parties, as well as our customers, colleagues and shareholders.” He also gave his word on behalf of CVS the company will do its part in helping address the wrongful use of the prescribed drugs.
In a statement by Walgreens, they shared that they will be committed to play their role in solving the opioid problem. The said settlement is a step forward towards allowing their company to focus more on their customers’ and patients’ health.
According to Paul Geller, one of the lawyers who worked with the governments for the lawsuit, the payments will be of great help to areas needing funds to address the growing opioid crisis. He further added that “with better systems in place and proper heeding of red flag warnings, pharmacies can play a direct role in reducing opioid abuse and in saving lives.”
Opioids, or painkillers laced with opium, are supposed to be prescribed and regulated for use. Examples are morphine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone, as well as illegal ones such as heroin and fentanyl. In 2020 alone, around 9.5 million people aged 12 and above across the US reportedly misused these drugs. In 2021, more than 80,000 deaths were attributed to overdose. Careful use and proper monitoring should always be observed.