Ohio nears $808 million opioid settlement

The state of Ohio took a major step forward this week in reaching a massive settlement deal with distributors sued over their role in the opioid epidemic (Source: “Ohio set to reach $808 million opioid settlement after more counties, cities sign on,” Columbus Dispatch, Aug. 19).

The "OneOhio" opioid settlement now has been agreed to by more than 99% of litigating local governments – 142 of the 143 entities said yes as of Wednesday – above the absolute minimum of 96% for any deal to be considered. The only holdout, Scioto County, can still sign onto the deal until this Friday at 5 p.m.

The 96% mark, while necessary, does not guarantee that the distributors will be paying out $808 million. The companies still need to sign off on it.

If the distributors – Dublin-based Cardinal Health; McKesson, based in Texas; and AmerisourceBergen, of Pennsylvania – do give approval, roughly 30% of the money would go to local communities, which then would be used for treatment and prevention programs for opioid addiction. Another 15% would go to Ohio for legal costs, and the rest would go to a foundation controlled by local government representatives.