Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced nationwide settlements with eight drug makers that manufactured opioid pills and worsened the nationwide opioid crisis worth approximately $720 million nationwide, according to a press release on Thursday afternoon. Based on the overwhelming participation by attorneys general across the country, all eight defendants have agreed to proceed with a sign-on period for local governments. Michigan could receive up to $24.5 million.

“We are seeing firsthand how these opioid settlements are making a real difference in our communities,” Nessel said in the press release. “I will continue to work alongside my colleagues across the country to hold these companies accountable and bring meaningful relief to the people and families impacted by this crisis.”

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

~ 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

In addition to these abatement payments, several of the settlements allow states to receive free pharmaceutical products or cash in lieu of this product, the release from Nessel’s office explained. Additionally, seven of the companies (not including Indivior) are prohibited from promoting or marketing opioids and opioid products, making or selling any product that contains more than 40 mg of oxycodone per pill, and are required to put in place a monitoring and reporting system for suspicious orders. Indivior has agreed to not manufacture or sell opioid products for the next 10 years, but it will be able to continue marketing and selling medications to treat opioid use disorder.

Since taking office in 2019, Attorney General Nessel has focused intently on combatting the opioid epidemic and holding accountable those responsible for creating and fueling the crisis, resulting in over $1.6 billion dollars to Michigan governments through settlements with McKinsey & Co, Distributors (Cardinal Health, McKesson, Inc., and AmerisourceBergen), Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Teva Pharmaceutical, Allergan Pharmaceutical, CVS, Walmart, and Walgreens. The money is distributed to the state and local units of government for opioid-use disorder treatment and remediation, according to the press release.

Analysis of provisional data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) indicates a 34% reduction in overdose deaths between 2023 and 2024 – about 1,000 fewer deaths. This continued progress reflects the impact of sustained, strategic investment in prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm-reduction efforts – many of which are made possible through additional funding received as a result of Michigan’s participation in the national opioid settlements, the release said.