Attorney General William Tong announced the agreement on Monday, highlighting it as another step in holding companies accountable for their role in the public health epidemic that has devastated communities across the state.
“Every dollar we recover from these settlements helps us fund treatment, prevention, and recovery services that save lives,” Tong stated. “Amneal, like many others in the pharmaceutical industry, failed to properly monitor and report suspicious opioid orders, allowing massive quantities of addictive pills to flood communities.”
The multistate settlement involves 50 states, Washington D.C., and several U.S. territories. The funds will be directed toward addressing the long-term impacts of opioid addiction—supporting public health initiatives, education, harm reduction efforts, and access to treatment.
As one of the nation’s largest producers of generic opioids, Amneal was under scrutiny for years. Investigations revealed the company distributed millions of doses of oxycodone and other prescription opioids without appropriate oversight. The lack of due diligence contributed significantly to the over-prescription and illegal diversion of painkillers.
This agreement adds to a growing list of settlements Connecticut has secured against pharmaceutical companies, distributors, and retailers. Since 2021, the state has collected over $800 million in opioid-related settlements, which will be dispersed over the next two decades.
The opioid crisis continues to grip Connecticut, with overdose deaths remaining at historic highs. According to state data, more than 1,400 people died from drug overdoses in Connecticut in 2023, most of them involving fentanyl, a synthetic opioid significantly more potent than heroin.
State officials say the new funds from the Amneal settlement will be overseen by the Connecticut Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, ensuring they are used for programs that have the greatest impact.
“This crisis didn’t happen overnight—and it won’t end overnight,” Tong said. “But we are fighting every day to get justice and resources for our communities.”
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