Grocery and pharmacy chain Albertsons has agreed to a national opioid settlement worth more than $773 million, and Texas and its local governments could receive as much as $57.8 million of it, Attorney General Ken Paxton's office announced Wednesday.
Texas was part of a coalition of states that negotiated the agreement, which still has to become final. Money that reaches Texas is earmarked for opioid abatement, and statewide settlement funds are overseen by the Texas Opioid Council, according to the attorney general's office.
What the agreement says
The settlement document posted by the attorney general's office spreads payments over as many as nine payment years, with some money tied to incentive payments that depend on how many local governments participate. It describes the claims being resolved as alleged conduct and does not set out findings against the company.
Beyond money, Albertsons would have to put in place or keep a Controlled Substance Compliance Program, with written policies, covering each of its retail pharmacies that dispense Schedule II controlled substances in the settling states. The company would send copies of those policies to each state, and the states would form a committee to serve as its point of contact on those terms.
Local governments have to opt in
The attorney general's office is urging Texas cities and counties that qualify to sign on, saying joining lets them receive direct payments and grant money for opioid abatement through the Texas Opioid Council. Those local governments will get information about signing on from the National Opioid Settlement Administrator, the office said, and those with their own lawyers should contact them.
