How Much is the Ohio Opioid Settlement

Ohio has been pursuing legal action against the pharmaceutical companies that it believes are responsible for the crisis.

Published On

December 10, 2023

Dove Recovery's Team

How Much is the Ohio Opioid Settlement

What It Means for the State and Its Residents

If you've been following the opioid epidemic in the United States, you've probably heard about the recent settlement in Ohio. The state has been hit hard by the crisis, with thousands of overdose deaths and countless others struggling with addiction. So, just how much is the Ohio opioid settlement, and what does it mean for the state and its residents?

First, a little background. The opioid epidemic has been raging in the US for years, with millions of Americans becoming addicted to prescription painkillers and heroin. Ohio has been one of the hardest-hit states, with more than 4,000 overdose deaths in 2016 alone. The crisis has taken a massive toll on families, communities, and the state's economy.

In response, Ohio has been pursuing legal action against the pharmaceutical companies that it believes are responsible for the crisis. In 2017, the state filed a lawsuit against five major drug manufacturers, accusing them of downplaying the risks of their products and contributing to the epidemic. The companies named in the suit are Purdue Pharma, Endo Health Solutions, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Johnson & Johnson, and Allergan.

After years of legal wrangling, the state has reached a settlement with four of these companies. Purdue Pharma, which makes the powerful painkiller OxyContin and has been accused of aggressively marketing the drug despite knowing its addictive potential, is not part of the settlement. The company is currently in bankruptcy proceedings and faces thousands of lawsuits from individuals and other states.

How Much is the Ohio Opioid Settlement?

The four companies involved in the settlement will pay a total of $26 billion over 18 years. The money will be used to help address the opioid epidemic in Ohio and across the country. The settlement is the largest in US history and is expected to have an impact on similar lawsuits in other states.

Of the $26 billion, $1.3 billion will be paid directly to Ohio over the next 18 years. The state will use the money to fund addiction treatment and other programs aimed at combating the opioid crisis. The remaining money will be used to fund similar efforts across the country.

Opioid Settlement Funds to Local Governments

Under the settlement agreement, a significant portion of the funds will be allocated to local governments in Ohio, including cities and counties that have been hit hardest by the opioid epidemic. For example, the city of Dayton has seen a surge in overdose deaths in recent years, with more than 300 opioid-related deaths in 2017 alone. The allocation of funds is intended to provide these communities with the resources they need to combat the crisis.

Over the next 18 years, local governments in Ohio will receive approximately $1 billion to support addiction treatment programs, education and prevention efforts, and other initiatives aimed at addressing the opioid crisis on a local level. For example, some of the funds may be used to expand access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs for people struggling with opioid addiction. MAT combines medication with behavioral therapy to help people manage their addiction and reduce their risk of relapse.

Some examples of what local governments have received to date

Ashtabula County — $321,000
Butler County — $1,158,737
Chillicothe — $134,202
Euclid — $40,377
Gallipolis Village — $11,339
Lima — $74,381
Montgomery County — $2,223,740
Piqua — $23,378
Warren — $151,573
Youngstown — $247,667
Zanesville — $59,049

To ensure that the funds are used effectively and efficiently, a special committee will oversee their distribution. This committee will be made up of representatives from various Ohio state agencies, as well as experts in addiction treatment and public health. The goal is to ensure that the money is used in ways that make a real difference in people's lives. For example, the committee may review proposals from local governments and organizations seeking funding for specific initiatives related to addiction treatment or prevention.

Where the Money Goes

Under the Ohio opioid settlement, funds will be allocated to various programs and initiatives aimed at addressing the opioid crisis. One area of focus will be on expanding access to addiction treatment programs, such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) or residential rehabilitation programs. MAT combines medication with behavioral therapy to help people manage their addiction and reduce their risk of relapse. For example, some of the funds may be used to establish new MAT clinics or expand existing ones to reach more people in need.

In addition, the settlement funds will support education and prevention efforts aimed at reducing the number of people who become addicted to opioids in the first place. For example, funds may be used to develop and implement school-based programs that teach students about the dangers of opioid use and promote healthy coping strategies for dealing with stress or pain.

Another area where the funds will be directed is research into new treatments for opioid addiction. This could include funding for clinical trials of new medications or therapies that show promise for treating addiction.

The settlement also includes funding to expand access to naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. Naloxone is a critical tool in preventing overdose deaths, but it can be expensive and difficult to obtain. The settlement funds will help make naloxone more widely available across Ohio and other states. For example, some of the funds may be used to provide naloxone training for first responders or distribute naloxone kits to community members.

Improving access to mental health services is another priority area for the settlement funds. Many people struggling with opioid addiction also have co-occurring mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety. By providing funding for mental health services, the settlement aims to address these underlying issues and provide a comprehensive approach to treating addiction.

Finally, some of the funds will be used for public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing stigma around addiction and increasing understanding of the risks associated with opioids. These campaigns may include public service announcements, billboards, or other forms of advertising designed to reach a wide audience.

Overall, the Ohio opioid settlement represents a significant step forward in addressing one of the most pressing public health crises facing our country today. By investing in a variety of programs and initiatives aimed at addressing different aspects of the crisis, these funds have the potential to make a real difference in people's lives and help Ohio communities overcome this ongoing public health crisis.

Role of Pharmaceutical Companies in Promoting Alternative Pain Management Treatments

While the Ohio opioid settlement is a step forward in addressing the opioid epidemic, it's worth examining the role of pharmaceutical companies in promoting alternative pain management treatments. With a growing focus on non-opioid pain relief options, there is an opportunity for these companies to promote safer and more effective treatments.

Pharmaceutical companies can play a role in promoting non-opioid pain management treatments by:

Investing in research and development: By funding research into new non-opioid pain relief options, pharmaceutical companies can help bring safer and more effective treatments to market. For example, some companies are researching new medications that target specific pain receptors in the body without causing the addictive effects associated with opioids.
Providing education and training for healthcare providers: Pharmaceutical companies can help healthcare providers better understand the risks and benefits of different pain management options. This can include providing training on how to prescribe non-opioid medications or refer patients to physical therapy or acupuncture.
Collaborating with policymakers: Pharmaceutical companies can work with policymakers to develop new treatment guidelines that emphasize non-opioid pain relief options. For example, some states have implemented laws that require healthcare providers to explore non-opioid options before prescribing opioids.
Supporting public awareness campaigns: Pharmaceutical companies can help raise awareness among patients and healthcare providers about non-opioid pain management options. This can include sponsoring public service announcements or other advertising campaigns that promote safe and effective pain relief alternatives.

One example of this type of collaboration is the Ohio Opioid Education Alliance, which includes representatives from pharmaceutical companies as well as healthcare providers and addiction specialists. The alliance aims to promote safe prescribing practices and increase awareness of non-opioid pain relief options among healthcare providers.

By working together with other stakeholders in Ohio's healthcare system, including patients and healthcare providers alike, pharmaceutical companies can help address the opioid epidemic while also promoting safer alternatives for pain management.

While it remains to be seen how much of an impact these funds will have on Ohio's opioid crisis, many are hopeful that they will provide much-needed support to communities struggling with addiction and its aftermath. By investing in local programs and initiatives, these funds have the potential to make a real difference in people's lives and help Ohio communities overcome this ongoing public health crisis.

While the settlement is a significant victory for Ohio and other states fighting the opioid epidemic, some critics argue that it doesn't go far enough. Some have pointed out that the settlement only covers four of the five companies named in the original lawsuit, and that Purdue Pharma, which many see as the most culpable of the companies, is not included. Others argue that the total amount of the settlement, while large, is still a small fraction of the profits made by the pharmaceutical companies in question.

Conclusion

The Ohio opioid settlement is an important milestone in the fight against the opioid epidemic that has plagued the US for years. While it remains to be seen how much impact this settlement will have on Ohio's opioid crisis, it is a significant victory for the state and its residents. The funds from the settlement will help support addiction treatment programs, education and prevention efforts, research into new treatments for opioid addiction, and public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing stigma around addiction.

However, there is still much work to be done to address this ongoing public health crisis. The opioid epidemic has taken a massive toll on families, communities, and the economy, and it will take a sustained effort from governments, healthcare providers, and individuals to overcome it. By continuing to invest in programs and initiatives aimed at addressing different aspects of the crisis, we can make progress towards ending this epidemic once and for all.