CVS Health will pay $484 million to the state of Florida to settle opioid claims, the parties announced Wednesday, in the pharmacy chain's first settlement with a US state.
The agreement, under which most of the funds will go to treat health effects or drug misuse, follows other large agreements involving drug manufacturers and distributors.
"The opioid epidemic is wreaking havoc on Florida families," said Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody."Since my first day in office, I have worked tirelessly to hold accountable those companies who helped start this crisis."Payments from the four companies to Florida total $878 million, according to the sums listed in Moody's press release.
CVS said the agreement means it will no longer be a defendant in a Florida opioid lawsuit scheduled for trial next month.