$266 Million For Utah In Landmark Opioid Settlement

$266 Million For Utah In Landmark Opioid Settlement

Introduction

Utah will receive a landmark opioid settlement of $266 million from the drug companies over the opioid crisis in the state that resulted in several deaths and social imbalance.

The settlement amount would be distributed among the 27 Utah counties where the drugmakers and distributors will pay the amount over the next 18 years to combat the opioid crisis.

Salt Lake County District Attorney informed that the opioid is causing devastation and loss of life on a regular basis across the state. The attorney even accused the company of using unfair means to increase opioid sales for a profit-making purpose. The county will receive $57 million from the $266 million settlement against Mckesson, Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen and Johnson & Johnson, which are the four major companies responsible for the crisis.

The Mayor of Salt Lake County said that opioid manufacturers, distributors, and others were mindful of the addictive nature of the opioids but did nothing to prevent it and aware the people. Even the leaders of the state have voiced about the wrongdoings of the company and urged that the companies to be thoroughly penalized for the crisis caused.

The money will be used for various purposes, including recovery efforts for families, education, harm reduction and community resources. Salt Lake County Sheriff informed that the county is short of money to tackle the opioid epidemic, and this settlement would play a major role in dealing with it by helping us to implement vital programs to cope with the crisis.

The leaders have praised the 27 opioid counties that collectively fought and raised voices against the drug companies by filing lawsuits, which have eventually helped the affected people and communities to fight the crisis. They even said that the settlement is still not sufficient and more work needs to be done considering the nationwide havoc. The county is expected to receive the amount this month or later or by May and July.