Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt says around $190 million is coming to Kansas as part of a multi-billion-dollar opioid settlement.
Schmidt announced final approval of a $26 billion settlement with pharmaceutical distributors Cardinal Health, McKesson Corporation and AmerisourceBergen Corporation along with the pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson. Kansas’ first payment is expected this spring and could continue for up to 17 years. Schmidt says his office attained full backing from “political subdivisions” that had brought their own lawsuits initially, meaning the state qualifies for the maximum payment amount.
Money will help state and local governments treat and prevent opioid addiction.
This is separate from the state’s effort to resolve claims against Purdue Pharma and Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. Those companies have filed for bankruptcy, so negotiations continue through bankruptcy court.
This is also separate from an agreement with the consulting firm McKinsey and Company after allegations the company violated the Kansas Consumer Protection Act by helping companies illegally promote drugs and then profit from the opioid epidemic. Kansas is getting nearly $5 million from that agreement, with proceeds to be used for drug treatment and abatement efforts.
The opioid settlement comes a day after Emporia Police concluded special Narcan training for officers, with Narcan doses to be part of the department’s standard patrol vehicle equipment on any day. Emporia Police officers say they investigated two confirmed fentanyl overdoses over the past year and are adding Narcan to the equipment roster in part due to significant fentanyl increases in larger cities across Kansas.
