Mylan’s $335M Settlement Over Opioid Crisis

New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced a landmark multistate settlement with pharmaceutical giant Mylan Inc., valued at up to $335 million, for its role in the devastating opioid crisis. The settlement stems from allegations that Mylan deceptively marketed its opioids as safe and less prone to abuse, despite knowing they were more susceptible to misuse.

Mylan, now part of Viatris, has been producing and selling a range of opioids since 2005, including fentanyl patches, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and buprenorphine. The company is accused of promoting these products directly to doctors, leading to excessive prescriptions and the diversion of opioids into illegal markets.

In a statement, Attorney General James emphasized the gravity of Mylan’s actions: “When drug companies put profits over people, innocent patients can get sucked into deadly cycles of addiction and overdoses. Mylan deceptively marketed its opioid products as safe, despite knowing they would be abused and sold illegally.”

The settlement, which covers a period of nine years, will allocate funds to participating states for combating the opioid crisis. It is part of Attorney General James’ broader efforts to secure billions in settlements against other companies involved in the crisis, including Purdue Pharma, Indivior, and Walgreens.

Attorney General James has been a national leader in holding accountable those who contributed to the crisis, securing over $3 billion for New York’s abatement, treatment, and prevention efforts. This latest settlement with Mylan is another step in the ongoing battle against the scourge of opioid addiction.