Home Economy Government R.I. to receive $56.3M in opioid lawsuit settlements with CVS, Walgreens, Walmart

R.I. to receive $56.3M in opioid lawsuit settlements with CVS, Walgreens, Walmart

By

James Bessette

-

12/14/2023

Neronha (2) — R.I. ATTORNEY GENERAL Peter F. Neronha announced Thursday the state will receive $56.3 million in settlements with CVS Health Corp., Walmart Inc. and Walgreens Co. over the opioid crisis. / PBN FILE PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

PROVIDENCE – Another significant lump sum of money will come through Rhode Island as part of the latest set of opioid settlements with national pharmacy companies and retailers. R.I. Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced Thursday that the state will receive $56.3 million from CVS Health Corp., Walmart Inc. and Walgreens Co. The settlements, Neronha’s

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PROVIDENCE – Another significant lump sum of money will come through Rhode Island as part of the latest set of opioid settlements with national pharmacy companies and retailers. R.I. Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced Thursday that the state will receive $56.3 million from CVS Health Corp., Walmart Inc. and Walgreens Co. The settlements, Neronha’s office says, were part of a multistate effort to hold pharmacy companies and retailers accountable for furthering the opioid epidemic in Rhode Island and across the U.S., alleging the companies had a crucial role to play in stopping the diversion of opioids but failed to do so. In this latest set of settlements, Walgreens will pay the state $23.1 million, CVS will pay $21.1 million and Walmart will pay $12 million. Since February 2021, Rhode Island has brought in close to $330 million in cash and lifesaving medication from 10 different settlements from opioid crisis-related lawsuits. Neronha’s office says the state will receive 80% of the funds, specifically for the Rhode Island’s Statewide Opioid Abatement Fund, and the remaining 20% will go toward the cities and towns. The funds, per the memorandum of understanding that the attorney general’s office negotiated, must be used for opioid treatment, prevention and recovery efforts to combat the opioid epidemic, Neronha’s office says. Neronha said in a statement that funds delivered by his office have been director for 70 additional in-patient treatment beds for those suffering from addiction. “While no amount of money will ever be enough to undo the harm they have caused to Rhode Islanders and their families, through these now-finalized settlements, we can continue to fund desperately needed resources for treatment, prevention, and recovery efforts,” Neronha said. “These efforts are already underway and making a real difference in the lives of Rhode Islanders.” James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter at @James_Bessette.