CVS and Walgreens to Pay $10 Million in Opioid Scandal

Recently, CVS and Walgreens announced they have agreed to pay over $5 billion each to settle opioid scandal cases. According to the New York Times, since 2013, a “wide number of state, local and tribal governments have been seeking to make companies across the pharmaceutical industry pay to reduce the ongoing costs of addiction, death and crime in an epidemic that began with prescription painkillers.”

According to NPR, CVS and Walgreens said that they will be paying over $10 billion to “several states in settlements.” State attorney generals released statements saying that “CVS would pay nearly $5 billion over 10 years, while Walgreens would pay $5.7 billion over 15 years.” Walgreens made a statement back in November, saying that they “remain committed to being a part of the solution, and this settlement framework will allow us to keep our focus on the health and wellbeing of our customers and patients, while making positive contributions to address the opioid crisis.” While neither pharmacies have admitted to their negative impact in the opioid scandal cases, the states have until December 31st to “accept the settlements” from them.