Philadelphia reaches opioid settlement with Walgreens

The City of Philadelphia recently reached a settlement agreement in its lawsuit against Walgreens.

Litigation efforts began in 2017 against manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacy dispensaries of prescription opioids accountable for supplying and perpetuating the opioid addiction crisis. Philadelphia’s lawsuit was filed in 2021. In 2023, the Opioid Settlement Fund spending plan was created to utilize and distribute settlement funds from several related lawsuits.

Under the terms of Philadelphia’s settlement agreement, the city will receive $110 million in compensation over five years.

The city plans to use the funds to remediate the harm caused by the opioid crisis in Philadelphia’s most impacted neighborhoods. Efforts will include substance use education, treatment, prevention, and community engagement.

“The opioid crisis has affected every city in the country and has hit Philadelphia particularly hard,” Interim Health Commissioner Dr. Frank Franklin said. “The Health Department has been working with City and community partners for years to help save lives and get people suffering from addiction into treatment. This settlement will help give us the tools to continue to promote and protect the health and well-being of Philadelphians and make Philadelphia the safest, cleanest city in America.”

The city will receive its first settlement payment in September.