Historic opioid settlement could bring more than $1B to Pennsylvania

Five of the six largest counties in the state have joined an opioid settlement that could bring the state more than $1 billion, including up to $232 million in 2022, according to Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

A total of 50 counties are part of the settlement.

The historic $26 billion global settlement with Cardinal, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen, the nation’s three major pharmaceutical distributors, and Johnson & Johnson was reached in July. In addition to providing states funding, the companies must make significant industry changes to help prevent a future crisis from occurring under the settlement.

Every dollar of funding must be used to combat the opioid crisis, although local governments have the freedom to decide where funding will ultimately be allocated.

The state’s remaining 17 counties and multiple subdivisions have a month to join the agreement.

“Pennsylvania lost 5,172 lives to overdoses in the last year alone, which is 14 Pennsylvanians a day,” Shapiro said. “This settlement is going to provide resources to jumpstart programs that will change lives and impact families across our Commonwealth who are struggling to find treatment and help for those suffering with substance abuse. These funds will be earmarked to offer and expand life-saving treatment options, prioritizing the areas that have been most affected by this crisis.”