Virginia could receive over $16 million from opioid settlements

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Attorney General Jason Miyares announced Thursday that Virginia could receive over $16 million from opioid settlements as part of a multi-million dollar settlement.

This is money is part of $720 in nationwide settlements from eight opioid drug makers, according to a release shared by the office of the attorney general on Thursday, July 10.

“Years ago, pharmaceutical companies exploited Virginians, treating them like test subjects while pushing dangerous, addictive drugs into our communities while lining their pockets. Though no settlement can erase the heartbreak and lives lost to the opioid crisis, I'm proud of my office for fighting to secure over $16 million to help Virginians heal, support recovery, and hold these companies accountable for the devastation they profited from.” Attorney General Jason Miyares

Of the eight companies, seven of them are not allowed to promote or market opioids and opioid products, barred from making or selling any product with more than 40 mg of oxycodone per pill and will implement a monitoring and reporting system for suspicious orders.

As part of the deal, the following are the eight defendants and the total amount they will pay in funds to address the opioid crisis: 

• Mylan (now part of Viatris): $284,447,916 paid over nine years
• Hikma: $95,818,293 paid over one to four years
• Amneal: $71,751,010 paid over 10 years
• Apotex: $63,682,369 paid in a single year
• Indivior: $38,022,450 paid over four years
• Sun: $30,992,087 paid over one to four years
• Alvogen: $18,680,162 paid in a single year
• Zydus: $14,859,220 paid in a single year

Indivior has agreed not to manufacture or sell opioid products for the next decade. However, it will continue marketing and selling medications that treat the disorder, according to the office of the attorney general.

This news comes after Virginia joined other U.S. states and agreed to receive up to $103.8 million in opioid crisis settlement with Purdue Pharma and members of the Sackler family who own the company for their part in creating and perpetuating the opioid crisis. They signed a $7.4 billion settlement.