Attorney General Jason Miyares has announced a $150 million multistate settlement in principle with opioid manufacturer Hikma Pharmaceuticals. The settlement comes as a result of Hikma's role in fueling the opioid crisis by failing to monitor and report suspicious opioid orders from potentially illegal distributors.
Hikma produces a range of branded and generic opioid products and sells hundreds of millions of opioid doses every year. From 2006 to 2021, the company neglected to adequately monitor suspicious orders, despite being aware of the inadequacy and potential failure of their monitoring systems.
The settlement will provide $115 million in cash and $35 million in opioid addiction treatment medication. This is a significant step towards resolving the claims brought by states and local communities against Hikma. In cases where states do not accept the medication, they will receive cash instead. Virginia, for instance, is expected to receive approximately $2.16 million from the settlement.
Attorney General Miyares emphasized the importance of holding opioid manufacturers accountable for their role in the devastating opioid epidemic. He stated, "It’s impossible to put a price on the devastation that opioid addiction has caused Virginians. But by holding opioid manufacturers accountable for their role in this epidemic, my office is able to support rehabilitation treatment and education for struggling Virginia communities."
The settlement in principle was negotiated by the attorneys general of New York, California, Delaware, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia. They worked in coordination with an executive committee consisting of the attorneys general of Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, and Oregon.
This multistate settlement sends a strong message to pharmaceutical companies that they will be held responsible for their actions in contributing to the opioid crisis. The funds obtained from the settlement will be instrumental in providing support for rehabilitation treatment and education programs in affected communities.
The Attorney General's Office in Virginia continues to work diligently to protect the rights and well-being of its residents. This settlement is a significant step in the ongoing fight against the opioid crisis and provides hope for a brighter future for those affected by addiction.