Walgreens Agrees to $110 Million Opioid Crisis Settlement with Philadelphia Over Opioid Lawsuit
City Officials and Mayor Outline Allocation Plans for Opioid Crisis Settlement Funds
According to Audacy, Walgreens has agreed to a substantial settlement with the City of Philadelphia totaling $110 million over the next five years to resolve a lawsuit linked to its alleged role in the opioid epidemic. The lawsuit, filed in 2021 accused the drug store chain of contributing to the crisis by neglecting to monitor and report suspicious orders of painkillers while still dispensing them without proper verification. Despite denying the charges, Walgreens consented to pay approximately $22 million opioid crisis settlement annually throughout the agreement.
City solicitor Renee Garcia expressed satisfaction with the opioid crisis settlement, noting that the city deemed the previous offer insufficient. Garcia highlighted that the new arrangement provides roughly three times more funding over a condensed timeframe acknowledging the ongoing struggle to adequately address the profound harms inflicted by the opioid crisis. Mayor Cherelle Parker announced plans to allocate the funds towards her Kensington Revitalization Plan and other initiatives aimed at combating the epidemic citywide. The first payment from the opioid crisis settlement is expected in September as Philadelphia continues its pursuit of accountability from all parties involved in the opioid supply chain, including manufacturers, distributors, and consultants like McKinsey.
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$110M Opioid Crisis Settlement: Walgreens Agrees to $22M Yearly Payment Over Five Years with Philadelphia – Check It Now! (PHOTO: Patch)
Philadelphia Secures Significant Settlement from Walgreens in Opioid Lawsuit
Furthermore, the opioid crisis settlement agreement shows that the city is serious about making everyone involved in the opioid crisis take responsibility. It’s not just about Walgreens but also about companies that make and distribute opioids and even consultants. Philadelphia wants to make sure they pay for the harm caused. This opioid crisis settlement money will start coming in September and the city will keep working hard to fight against opioid addiction and help affected communities.
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