The Gainesville City Council voted unanimously Tuesday evening to participate in the New Opioid Settlements.
Teva, Allergan, CVS, Walgreens and Walmart have reached a national settlement frame, known as the New Opioid Settlements, with certain states, including Georgia.
According to a press release from the office of Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, the national settlements require CVS to pay $5 billion and Walgreens to pay $5.7 billion, for a total of $10.7 billion. Teva is required to pay $4.25 billion and Allergan to pay $2.37 billion, for a total of $6.6 billion.
CVS, Walgreens and Walmart have also agreed to court-ordered injunctive relief that requires the pharmacies to monitor, report and share data about suspicious activity related to opioid prescriptions. While Teva and Allergan have also agreed to strict limitations regarding the marketing, promotion, sale and distribution of opioids.
“These cases are being looked at collectively and so a settlement has been reached, in principle, we will be entering into a memorandum of understanding that will address how the funds are to be distributed,” Gainesville City Attorney Abb Hayes said. “And hopefully some funds will show up to help people in our community who've been dealing with opioid addiction here in the near future.”
Hayes said there are lawsuits all over the country against opioid manufacturers and distributors to address the ramifications of opioid addiction throughout the country. Cities, counties and states were faced with the dilemma of filing their own lawsuit or joining together.
“We did choose the latter. To go it alone would be very tough, we'd have to file our own lawsuit. So we have banded together with other municipalities and counties. And we're pleased that these cases are nearing resolution,” Hayes said.
