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Gov., Attorney General Announce $26 Billion Deal With Opioid Distributors, Manufacturers

Last week, Gov. Spencer Cox and Attorney General Sean D. Reyes announced a $26 billion agreement with major opioid distributors and manufacturers. 

Cardinal, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen are the three major pharmaceutical distributors included in the agreement, with Johnson & Johnson included as an opioid manufacturer.

 

This agreement requires the three distributors to pay $21 billion over 18 years and Johnson & Johnson to pay up to $5 billion over nine years. The majority of the money will be spent on opioid treatment and prevention. 

 

The agreement will also require significant changes within the industry and resolve investigations over the companies’ involvement in the opioid epidemic.

Darcy Ritchie is a junior at Utah State University studying journalism and history. She has worked with USU Student Media as the programming director for Aggie Radio and as a reporter for the Utah Statesman. As a news intern at Utah Public Radio, she works in all aspects of the newsgathering process including interviewing, writing scripts, editing and producing. Outside of work and school, I enjoy attending local concerts, collecting earrings and tweeting.