Virginia's Attorney General, Jason Miyares, has announced a significant multi-state settlement with Kroger, compelling the grocery giant to contribute $1.37 billion to address its role in the nationwide opioid crisis, with approximately $28 million of this amount earmarked for Virginia over an 11-year period. This latest development brings Virginia's total settlements from pharmaceutical companies and retailers to over $1 billion, marking a crucial step in the state's ongoing efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, commenting on the multi-state settlement with Kroger, stated, "The opioid crisis has tragically claimed the lives of countless innocent Virginians, and this significant settlement is another important step in the battle against this epidemic, offering aid and recovery services to those who urgently need it." He emphasized the profound impact of the crisis on families and underscored the commitment of the Office of Attorney General to combat it across the Commonwealth.
In addition to the financial aspects, the final settlement with Kroger will hinge on the agreement regarding critical business practice changes, as indicated in the statement by the Attorney General.
The negotiations for this multi-state settlement were spearheaded by attorneys general from North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, California, Colorado, Illinois, and Virginia.
Over the past year, Attorney General Jason Miyares has also announced several settlements in ongoing legal battles involving various companies, including a $9 million settlement with Endo International and a $67 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson. The funds obtained from these settlements have been directed toward supporting Virginia's Opioid Abatement Authority and local communities in their efforts to combat the opioid crisis.
Virginia is set to receive a substantial sum of approximately $1 billion from opioid-related settlements, to be disbursed over a period spanning 16 to 18 years, reflecting ongoing efforts to address the repercussions of the opioid crisis in the state.
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