Nebraska Attorney General Lauds $26 Billion Settlement Between States, Pharmaceutical Companies

July 21, 2021, 6:38 p.m. ·

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Opioids have killed hundreds of thousands in the U.S., according to the CDC. (Photo courtesy of pexels.com)

The Nebraska Attorney's General Office is celebrating a $26 billion agreement between major pharmaceutical distributors, a major opioid manufacturer and multiple states, which include Nebraska.

The settlement comes after years of investigations by multiple attorneys general into what responsibility the companies had in fueling the ongoing opioid crisis which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has killed hundreds of thousands in the U.S alone.

“I have greatly appreciated the significant efforts given in the last five years by the members of the Nebraska Coalition to End Opioid Misuse,” said Attorney General Doug Peterson in a statement. "As a result of those efforts, we have been able to reduce the impact of opioid misuse in our state. However, with the anticipated settlement funds, we should be able to make a significant impact in treating every Nebraskan who suffers from an opioid addiction. We will need to continue to be vigilant on this issue."

As part of a separate lawsuit, Purdue Pharma, the largest manufacturer of prescription opioids, is also in settlement negotiations with multiple states.