Drug Wholesalers’ $18 Billion Offer to Settle Opioid Lawsuits Rebuffed by 21 States

Attorneys general from 21 states rejected an $18 billion offer from three drug wholesalers to settle lawsuits over their role in the opioid epidemic, The Wall Street Journal reports.

At least 30 states have sued the drug wholesalers or have been involved in negotiations to resolve claims, the article notes. The states that rejected the $18 billion offer want the companies to contribute between $22 billion and $32 billion.

States that signed onto the letter included some places hardest hit by the opioid crisis, including Ohio and West Virginia. Most of the attorneys general who signed the letters were Democrats, although some Republicans including West Virginia’s Patrick Morrisey and Florida’s Ashley Moody also signed.

Attorneys general from North Carolina, Texas, Pennsylvania and Tennessee were among those who did not sign the letter.