CLEVELAND, Ohio —What many thought could be a marathon in the courtroom ended in a sprint, as the judge came in, announced the settlement, then dismissed the courtroom. 

  • Officials from Cuyahoga and Summit Counties say drug distributors AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson have agreed to pay a combined $215 million and drug maker Teva agreed to pay $20 million in cash and donate $25 million worth of suboxone, a drug used to treat opioid addiction
  • Negotiations stalled over the weekend for a nationwide settlement after disagreement on how to spend the money
  • Walgreens was the one company not involved in the settlement

A crowd of lawyers and officials left the federal courthouse not long after walking in, where the judge says a settlement was reached around midnight Monday.

“The long-term impact on our children that had been by products of this health crisis, won’t end just because a settlement has been done,” said Ilene Shapiro, Summit County Executive. 

Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro was joined by Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley, who say drug distributors AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson have agreed to pay a combined $215 million, while Israeli-based drug maker Teva agreed to pay $20 million in cash and donate $25 million worth of Suboxone, a drug used to treat opioid addiction.

“We are looking at utilizing this money for treatment and getting people into programs and assisting first responders as they deal with this,” said O’Malley. 

A nationwide settlement for $48 billion was turned down over the weekend after cities and counties disagreed with states attorneys general over how the money would be distributed.

“The proposal was to pay it over many many years,” said Budish. “We have the problems now. People are suffering now. People are dying now. We need to deal with these issues now.”

Walgreens was the only company that didn’t settle with the counties.

And Joe Rice, who represents Summit County, says legal action is still being pursued. 

“That’s going to focus on the dispensing practices of the pharmacy industry. When you go into a pharmacy and you’re addicted, that pharmacy looks you in the eyes and they know it. That’s your line of last defense. So, we’re a long way from being through,” said Rice. 

The judge says both parties will work out a new trial date for Walgreens, which one lawyer for the counties says could take place sometime next year.