JACKSON — On July 10, Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced a $720 million nationwide settlement with eight drug makers that manufactured opioid pills and worsened the nationwide opioid crisis. Mississippi could receive up $6,351,265 million in total.
"The opioid epidemic has claimed far too many lives in Mississippi, leaving behind lasting pain," said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. "But together, we can confront the damage already done and work to prevent more senseless deaths. This settlement marks an important step forward, holding those involved in the opioid crisis accountable and helping us begin the healing process for our families and communities."
The eight defendants and the total amount they will pay in funds 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
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.
The Mississippi Attorney General's Office was the first state in the country to file suit against opioid manufacturers for their part in the epidemic. Since then, the Attorney General has successfully negotiated settlement agreements with over a dozen manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retail pharmacies, and marketers of opioids. Settlement payments are deposited into the Opioid Settlement Fund created by the Legislature in 2024. Attorney General Fitch chairs the Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Council to ensure that settlement funds are allocated and spent in accordance with the terms of the settlement agreements, including abatement requirements, and to ensure public involvement, accountability, and transparency in allocating and accounting for the funds.
