End Substance Use Disorder Responds to CVS and Walgreens Settlement on Opioid Overdose Crisis

Today, CVS and Walgreens announced a $10 billion settlement with state, local, and tribal governments for the companies’ role in fueling the opioid overdose crisis. End Substance Use Disorder released the following statement:

“Pharmacies are supposed to protect the health of our communities. But CVS and Walgreens placed profits before people and turned a blind eye to the opioid overdose crisis,” said Erin Schanning, president of End Substance Use Disorder. “We are disappointed that CVS and Walgreens are not admitting to wrongdoing or apologizing for their actions. But, the corporate actors that made money on the suffering and deaths of our family members should pay for their role in fueling the overdose crisis. ”

The settlement agreement announced today is contingent upon a majority of plaintiffs signing onto the agreement. Should a sufficient number of states, local governments, and tribal nations approve, the settlement will be finalized.

Today’s announcement comes after other corporations like Purdue Pharma, Johnson & Johnson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson have announced multi-billion dollar settlements for flooding communities with prescription painkillers and for downplaying the risks of these medications.

The overdose crisis now claims more than 108,000 Americans every year. It is the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 50.

End Substance Use Disorder has joined with leading organizations to endorse a set of guiding principles for how states, cities, and counties should use funds received from the opioid litigation and has recognized the White House for issuing a model state law for the use of opioid litigation funds.