California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a multistate settlement in principle with pharmaceutical company Mylan Inc. The agreement, aimed at combating the opioid crisis, will provide up to $335 million nationwide. Mylan, now part of Viatris, has been producing and selling various opioids, including generic fentanyl patches, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and buprenorphine products since 2005.
The attorneys general claim that Mylan deceptively marketed its products as less prone to abuse, while knowing that many, especially its fentanyl patches, were highly vulnerable to misuse. This marketing strategy included promoting directly to doctors, leading to overprescription and illegal distribution of opioids.
"Companies and individuals who fueled the opioid crisis must be held accountable. With today's announcement, the California Department of Justice is continuing to deliver results," Attorney General Bonta stated. He emphasized that the opioid crisis affects people of all political affiliations and backgrounds, adding, "I'm proud to have worked on this with a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general."
The settlement, negotiated by attorneys general from California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia, in coordination with their counterparts from Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, and Vermont, requires Mylan to distribute up to $335 million to participating states over nine years.