Pharmaceutical Firm Pays $270 Million Settlement for Its Role in the Opioid Crisis

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced on May 3 that a multistate settlement was reached in principle with opioid manufacturer Amneal Pharmaceuticals for its role in fueling the nationwide epidemic of opioid addictions and overdoses. James and a multistate coalition of attorneys general allege that Amneal — which is headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey and has a Long Island facility based in Brookhaven — knowingly failed to monitor and report suspicious orders placed by its customers, as it was required to by federal law.

“Amneal became one of the largest generic pharmaceutical companies in the world by profiting off the sale of dangerous opioids,” James said. “While this settlement can’t fully reverse the damage done as a result of the national crisis, it will provide essential funding and resources for New York and other states to ensure those suffering get the help they need. I am proud to have secured over $2.7 billion to tackle the opioid epidemic in New York, and my office will continue to hold accountable the companies responsible for fueling this crisis.”

The settlement in principle announced today will provide $92.5 million in cash over 10 years and $180 million worth of naloxone nasal spray, an overdose treatment medication, to participating states and local governments.

The settlement in principle was negotiated by James and the attorneys general of California, Delaware, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia and on behalf of New York by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy and Assistant Attorney General Matthew Conrad of the Executive Division, with assistance from Data Scientist Ken Morales and Acting Deputy Director of Research and Analytics Gautam Sisodia of the Research and Analytics Department, Assistant Attorney General Eve Woodin of the Health Care Bureau, and Special Counsel Monica Hanna of the Executive Division.