February 5, 2024 –Illinois will share in hundreds of millions of dollars received as part of two multi-state settlements involving the opioid epidemic.
One case involves Publicis Health, which Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office says contributed to the epidemic by helping Purdue Pharma and other opioid manufacturers sell the drugs, which include OxyContin and others.
The other is a case against opioid manufacturer Hikma Pharmaceuticals. The company was accused of failing to monitor orders for opioids from potentially fraudulent distributors.
“Too many families have lost loved ones to the opioid epidemic, and too many people have lost years of their lives to addiction,” Raoul said in a statement. “The companies that created and fueled this crisis must be held accountable for providing treatment and recovery resources to help those who suffer from opioid addiction.”
These two settlements will bring Illinois’ share of opioid payouts to more than $1.3 billion – the result of numerous multi-state lawsuits and negotiations in recent years. The money is expected to be distributed through at least 2038 and allocated via the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement. That agreement directs funds for purposes like remediation, distribution to local government and other uses aimed at mitigating the opioid epidemic’s effects.
Illinois operates a helpline for people who may be addicted, or for people whose loved ones are impacted by opioid addiction. You can find it at Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances or by calling 833-2FINDHELP.
