New York AG Letitia James holds pharmaceutical companies accountable, adding to over $3 billion secured to combat opioid epidemic across New York and other states

New York – New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced a significant legal victory against the pharmaceutical company Mylan Inc., part of Viatris, in a multistate lawsuit aimed at addressing the devastating effects of the opioid crisis. The settlement will see Mylan pay up to $335 million over the next nine years, funds that will be distributed among the participating states to help mitigate the widespread damage caused by opioid addiction and overdoses.

The settlement stems from allegations against Mylan concerning its marketing practices. The company has been accused of deceptively promoting its opioid products, which include generic fentanyl patches and various forms of oxycodone and hydrocodone, as being less susceptible to abuse.

However, it has been revealed that Mylan was aware of the higher risks of abuse and illegal diversion associated with these products, especially the fentanyl patches. By marketing these opioids directly to healthcare providers, Mylan significantly contributed to the overprescription and misuse of these potent drugs, intensifying the opioid epidemic across the United States.

“When drug companies put profits over people, innocent patients can get sucked into deadly cycles of addiction and overdoses,” said Attorney General James. “Mylan deceptively marketed its opioid products as safe, despite knowing they would be abused and sold illegally. While no settlement can fully repair the damage caused by dangerous opioids, these funds will help New York and other states fight the opioid crisis.”

This settlement is part of a broader effort by Attorney General James to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for their roles in the opioid epidemic. Her office has previously secured over $3 billion from various pharmaceutical entities, including major corporations like Purdue Pharma, Johnson & Johnson, and Teva Pharmaceuticals, among others. These funds have been pivotal in bolstering New York’s resources to combat opioid-related challenges, including addiction treatment programs and community recovery initiatives.

The negotiation team for New York included several key figures such as First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy, Special Counsel Monica Hanna, and Assistant Attorney General Matthew Conrad from the Executive Division, along with Data Scientist Ken Morales from the Research and Analytics Department. Their collective efforts were instrumental in reaching this agreement, which also involved coordination with the attorneys general from California, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and several other states.

This multistate settlement not only underscores the responsibility of pharmaceutical companies in the opioid crisis but also highlights the ongoing commitment of state officials to secure justice and recovery resources for their communities. As the battle against opioid addiction continues, the funds from this settlement are expected to provide critical support in restoring the lives affected by one of the most challenging public health crises in recent history.