NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly talks with Wall Avenue Journal reporter Sharon Terlep concerning the $10 billion opioid settlement reached with two of the largest pharmacy chains within the U.S.
MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
The 2 largest pharmacy chains within the nation can pay greater than $10 billion to settle lawsuits over the toll of opioids. CVS and Walgreens have agreed to pay what may very well be one of many final rounds of big settlements after years of litigation – litigation over the drug trade’s position within the overdose disaster. Greater than half 1,000,000 deaths within the U.S. over the previous 20 years have been linked to opioid overdoses.
Effectively, Sharon Terlep is overlaying this for The Wall Avenue Journal. Hello there. Welcome.
SHARON TERLEP: Thanks for having me.
KELLY: What have been these firms accused of doing? Like, what was their position in all of this?
TERLEP: Certain. I imply, the core of the argument is that they ignored purple flags, they usually failed to forestall opioids from flowing into communities, you already know, at large ranges.
KELLY: And is that this settlement an admission of fault?
TERLEP: It isn’t in any respect. There’s – each the businesses have been clear that this isn’t an request for forgiveness. And what the pharmacies say is that their pharmacists have been filling prescriptions that have been issued by docs, so basically doing their job.
KELLY: Proper. OK. So the cash that is been agreed – it is quite a bit – $10 billion. It can go to state governments, native governments, Native American tribal governments; to not people. Is that proper?
TERLEP: Appropriate. It will not go to people. It may well’t go to state normal funds. It can all go to those state-level governments. I imply, there’s quite a bit that communities are speaking about – issues like medical help, job help – that finally would attain individuals. However when it comes to, you already know, a piece of money touchdown in somebody’s checking account who’s affected by this, that is not what’s taking place right here.
KELLY: Among the many query marks nonetheless out there may be whether or not a 3rd main pharmacist – Walmart – might finally grow to be a part of this image. What are you aware about that?
TERLEP: Certain. I believe everyone’s ready for a ultimate phrase on Walmart. Walmart has been concerned in a number of the earlier settlements. They’ve definitely been concerned in these lawsuits. And so we’re ready to see what, if any, deal they’ve provide you with.
KELLY: And when it comes to the 2 which are on the market now and that you’ve – your reporting has confirmed – CVS and Walgreens – is that this the tip of the highway for them or is there extra litigation pending to do with the opioid epidemic?
TERLEP: They definitely hope it is the tip of the highway. However the state of affairs with this settlement is that every entity has to determine whether or not to signal on or not signal on. And if they do not signal on, they might proceed to pursue separate claims, which each the businesses have stated they’d struggle if that occurs.
KELLY: OK. So one of many state authorities, native authorities may say, nope; I am not in on this deal, and we’ll proceed to pursue our personal litigation?
TERLEP: Appropriate.
KELLY: OK. And the place does this sit within the broader context of the myriad lawsuits which have been filed over opioids and the epidemic?
TERLEP: It is by far the largest settlement for the pharmacies. Total, it is smaller than the deal reached by Johnson & Johnson and drug distributors in 2021. That was a $25 billion deal. Curiously, Purdue Pharma – that they had a $6 billion fee, which was barely larger than CVS. And Purdue Pharma is, in fact, the maker of OxyContin.
KELLY: Yeah. So what’s going to you be anticipating subsequent?
TERLEP: Effectively, we’ll be anticipating Walmart for positive. And, you already know, I believe it should be actually fascinating to see how this cash is spent. So I believe we’ll be actually seeking to see it – you already know, what occurs to this cash now that it is on the market and flowing into the state and native authorities?
KELLY: What is the vary of choices for the way it may very well be spent?
TERLEP: I imply, it is a variety. It is something from paying for therapies to overdoses to paying for employment packages and schooling. And there is fairly large latitude for the way this cash could be spent.
KELLY: That’s Sharon Terlep of The Wall Avenue Journal sharing a few of her reporting over this $10 billion settlement that has simply been introduced at this time. Sharon Terlep, thanks.
TERLEP: Thanks.
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