Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced on Wednesday a $53 million agreement with Walmart for its role in furthering the opioid epidemic.
“This agreement with Walmart provides the commonwealth with over $53 million to help Kentuckians who have been harmed by the opioid epidemic,” Cameron said. “The commonwealth is among the states hardest hit by this scourge. This office continues to act to protect our citizens from drug addiction. I’m pleased that Walmart has come to the table to help fund our efforts to end the opioid crisis.”
The agreement resolves allegations that the company contributed to the opioid epidemic by failing to implement appropriate policies, procedures, and controls relating to the dispensing of opioids at its stores.
In accordance with the terms of House Bill 427, 50 percent of the $53 million will be distributed to local governments and 50 percent to the commonwealth, which will be administered by the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission.
Once the settlement is final, Kentucky will stand to receive over $531 million from companies for their role in the opioid epidemic.
The terms of the agreement are similar to those outlined in the $26 billion settlement reached with Cardinal, McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, and Johnson and Johnson.
“Sadly, last year, U.S. opioid overdose deaths climbed to over 80,000. In 2021, Kentucky lost 2,250 residents to overdose deaths, and 90 percent of these deaths were related to opioids,” the attorney general’s office said.
To view the agreement, click here.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
