Attorney General Phil Weiser announces $150 million multistate settlement in principle from Hikma Pharmaceuticals to help combat opioid crisis

Feb. 1, 2024 (DENVER) — Attorney General Phil Weiser announced today a $150 million multistate settlement in principle with opioid manufacturer Hikma Pharmaceuticals for its role in fueling the opioid crisis.

Hikma produces a range of generic opioid products and sells hundreds of millions of opioid doses every year. The attorneys general allege that from 2006 to 2021, Hikma failed to monitor and report suspicious opioid orders from potentially illegal distributors, even while its personnel knew their systems to monitor suspicious orders were inadequate and prone to failure.

The settlement will provide $115 million in cash and $35 million in opioid addiction treatment medication to resolve claims brought by states and local communities against Hikma. States that do not accept the medication will receive cash in lieu of product.

“The opioid crisis continues to devastate individuals, families, and communities,” stated Weiser. “This settlement in principle marks another step to hold those accountable for this epidemic and will bring funds to Colorado to provide support for treatment, recovery, and prevention services.”

As part of the settlement in principle, Hikma will pay $150 million to participating states and localities, encompassing $115 million in cash and $35 million worth of opioid addiction treatment medication.

The settlement in principle was negotiated by the attorneys general of New York, California, Delaware, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia in coordination with an executive committee consisting of the attorneys general of Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, and Oregon.

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Media Contact:
Lawrence Pacheco
Chief Communications Officer
(720) 508-6553 office | (720) 245-4689 cell
lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov