In the latest fallout from the opioid crisis that swept the U.S., Walmart agreed to pay $3.1 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits that were filed by U.S. states, cities, and tribal communities, adding to an expansive settlement recently reached by two rival pharmacy chains.
The prospective deal follows a deal announced earlier this month in which CVS Health and Walgreens agreed to pay about $5 billion each amid accusations that the companies fomented the opioid crisis. None of the retailers, however, admitted wrongdoing as part of the agreements.
The numerous lawsuits argued various drugmakers downplayed safety risks and illicitly marketed their prescription painkillers to physicians. Wholesalers were accused of failing to property oversee suspicious shipments. And the pharmacy chains were faulted for filling prescriptions that should have been flagged as inappropriate.
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