Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced a series of national settlements with eight drug manufacturers, totaling approximately $720 million. These companies were involved in the production of opioid pills, which have contributed to the nationwide opioid crisis. The settlement is expected to provide Michigan with up to $24.5 million.

Nessel emphasized the impact of these settlements on communities, stating, “We are seeing firsthand how these opioid settlements are making a real difference in our communities.” She pledged continued efforts alongside other attorneys general to hold these companies accountable and provide relief to those affected by the crisis.

The companies involved and their respective contributions include Mylan (now part of Viatris) with $284,447,916 over nine years; Hikma with $95,818,293 over one to four years; Amneal with $71,751,010 over ten years; Apotex with $63,682,369 in a single year; Indivior with $38,022,450 over four years; Sun with $30,992,087 over one to four years; Alvogen with $18,680,162 in a single year; and Zydus with $14,859,220 in a single year.

Some states will receive free pharmaceutical products or cash as part of these agreements. Seven companies are restricted from promoting opioids or selling products containing more than 40 mg of oxycodone per pill. They must also implement systems for monitoring suspicious orders. Indivior will not manufacture or sell opioid products for ten years but can continue marketing treatments for opioid use disorder.

Since taking office in 2019, Nessel has been dedicated to addressing the opioid epidemic and holding responsible parties accountable. Her efforts have resulted in over $1.6 billion for Michigan through various settlements. These funds support treatment and remediation efforts across state and local governments.

Data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services shows a 34% reduction in overdose deaths between 2023 and 2024—approximately 1,000 fewer deaths—highlighting the effectiveness of strategic investments made possible by national opioid settlement funds.