Salem, Oregon – Attorney General Dan Rayfield has announced a significant legal win in the fight against the opioid crisis. Oregon will get up to $10.1 million as part of a $720 million nationwide settlement with eight pharmaceutical companies that made opioid pills.
A group of attorneys general from nine states, working together across party lines, reached the settlements. They hold drug companies responsible for their roles in causing addiction and mortality across the country. Rayfield stressed that this campaign is not just about getting money back; it’s also about repairing lives and making communities stronger that have been hurt by years of corporate carelessness.
“Opioid drug makers must be held accountable for the harm they’ve caused to families and communities across Oregon, and this settlement is part of our ongoing efforts to seek justice,” Rayfield said. “No amount of money can rewind the clock, but this money will allow us to continue building a future free from this crisis by investing in drug treatment, prevention, and recovery support across our state.”
Mylan (now Viatris), Hikma, Amneal, Apotex, Indivior, Sun, Alvogen, and Zydus are the eight companies that are part of the settlement. Payments will be made at different times. Mylan is accountable for the most, agreeing to pay more than $284 million over nine years. Companies like Apotex and Zydus will make one-time payments of more than $78 million in total.
Read also: Klamath Falls launches weeklong road maintenance push with paving, painting, and cleanup efforts
The Oregon lawmakers set up a way to share the money in 2022. 45% will go to the state’s Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Fund, and 55% would be split among towns and counties for local programs. These funds will help make treatment programs more available, support long-term rehabilitation, and pay for important preventative programs.
In addition to the fines, most of the companies are now not allowed to sell opioids or make high-dosage pills that include more than 40 milligrams of oxycodone. They also need to set up mechanisms to keep track of and report any orders that seem suspicious. Indivior continues to be permitted to offer drugs for opioid use disorder, but it has promised to stop making or selling opioid pills for the next ten years.
Read also: Fire crews hold the line in Klamath County despite heat, wind, and flare-up threats
Oregon has already gotten more than $700 million in opioid-related payments since 2021, including a $66 million deal with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family that was revealed just last month. This new settlement adds to that.
Rayfield made it clear that this is not the end of Oregon’s work as the state moves forward.
