By: Richard L. Smith
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has announced a sweeping $720 million nationwide settlement with eight pharmaceutical companies accused of fueling the opioid crisis. 
New Jersey and its eligible subdivisions stand to receive up to $19.8 million from the agreement.
“The harms caused by the proliferation of opioids continue to reverberate, and New Jersey residents deserve to see these companies held to account,” said Attorney General Platkin. “We expect State partners to use these funds responsibly to alleviate the suffering in the wake of this manmade substance use disorder epidemic.”
The companies included in the settlement are Mylan (now part of Viatris), Hikma, Amneal, Apotex, Indivior, Sun, Alvogen, and Zydus. Payments will be distributed over periods ranging from one to ten years, with Mylan contributing the largest share—over $284 million.
Beyond financial restitution, the settlements include strict new limitations.
Seven of the companies involved will no longer be allowed to promote or market opioids, sell products containing more than 40 mg of oxycodone per pill, and must implement robust monitoring systems for suspicious orders. Indivior, specifically, has agreed to halt the manufacture and sale of opioid products for a decade, though it can continue offering treatments for opioid addiction.
Some states will also receive free medication-assisted treatment or financial equivalents as part of the agreements.
These settlements are the latest in a series of efforts by attorneys general across the country to hold drug makers accountable and fund much-needed recovery and prevention efforts in communities hardest hit by the opioid epidemic.