Mylan to Pay Up to $335M
- WASHINGTON - Mylan,an American pharmaceutical company specializing in generic drugs,has agreed to pay up to $335 million to resolve claims related to its role in the opioid crisis.
- The settlement addresses allegations that Mylan improperly marketed its opioid treatments, leading to excessive consumption and illegal sales.
- The agreement in principle was reached with the attorneys general of 15 states.
Mylan to Pay $335 Million in Opioid Crisis Settlement
Table of Contents
- Mylan to Pay $335 Million in Opioid Crisis Settlement
- Mylan too Pay $335 Million in Opioid Crisis Settlement: Your Questions Answered
- What’s the core issue with Mylan?
- What are the main allegations against Mylan?
- What specific opioids did mylan manufacture and sell?
- who is involved in this settlement?
- What are the financial terms of the settlement?
- How does this settlement relate to the broader opioid crisis?
- What’s the impact of the opioid crisis in the U.S.?
- Has anyone else been held accountable for the opioid crisis?
- What has been the impact on the opioid crisis related deaths?
- How is this settlement a step toward addressing the crisis?
WASHINGTON – Mylan,an American pharmaceutical company specializing in generic drugs,has agreed to pay up to $335 million to resolve claims related to its role in the opioid crisis. The crisis has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people in the United States as 1999.
The settlement addresses allegations that Mylan improperly marketed its opioid treatments, leading to excessive consumption and illegal sales.
The agreement in principle was reached with the attorneys general of 15 states. Mylan merged with upjohn, a subsidiary of Pfizer specializing in off-patent medications, in 2020, forming Viatris.
Accusations of Fueling “Illegal Drug Market”
Mylan is accused of manufacturing and selling various opioid treatments beginning in 2005, including generic fentanyl patches, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and buprenorphine.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement released Monday, April 7, that Mylan “misled” patients by marketing its opioid treatments as safe, despite knowing they would be consumed excessively and sold illegally.
According to the press release, “The company fueled the opioid crisis by doing direct marketing with doctors, which led to a dangerous surplus and a diversion of its opioids to the illegal drug market.” The settlement stipulates payments potentially reaching $335 million over a nine-year period.
to date, the New York Attorney General has secured more than $3 billion from companies involved in the opioid crisis, including pharmaceutical manufacturers like Purdue Pharma, considered a catalyst for the crisis, as well as drug distributors such as CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart. Settlements have also been reached with a subsidiary of a French advertising firm and the consulting firm McKinsey.
data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that nearly 727,000 people in the U.S. died from opioid-related overdoses between 1999 and 2022. These overdoses involved both prescription and illegally obtained opioids. In 2023, for the first time as 2018, opioid-related deaths, primarily from fentanyl, saw a slight decrease.
Mylan too Pay $335 Million in Opioid Crisis Settlement: Your Questions Answered
Here’s a complete look at the recent settlement involving Mylan and its role in the opioid crisis, presented in a Q&A format to provide clarity and context.
What’s the core issue with Mylan?
Mylan, a pharmaceutical company known for generic drugs, has agreed to pay up to $335 million to resolve claims related to its involvement in the opioid crisis. This settlement addresses allegations that Mylan improperly marketed its opioid treatments.
What are the main allegations against Mylan?
Mylan is accused of contributing to the opioid crisis by improperly marketing its opioid treatments, which led to excessive consumption and illegal sales. Specifically, the company is accused of:
Manufacturing and selling various opioid treatments, including generic fentanyl patches, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and buprenorphine, starting in 2005.
Marketing its opioid treatments as safe, despite knowing they were likely to be consumed excessively and sold illegally.
Direct marketing to doctors, which led to a perilous surplus of opioids and their diversion to the illegal drug market.
What specific opioids did mylan manufacture and sell?
Mylan manufactured and sold various opioid treatments, including:
Generic fentanyl patches
Hydrocodone
who is involved in this settlement?
The settlement involves Mylan and the attorneys general of 15 states. because Mylan merged with Upjohn (a Pfizer subsidiary) in 2020, the resulting company, Viatris, is involved.
What are the financial terms of the settlement?
Mylan has agreed to pay up to $335 million. Thes payments are stipulated to occur over a nine-year period.
How does this settlement relate to the broader opioid crisis?
This settlement is part of a larger effort to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for their role in the opioid crisis, which has resulted in the deaths of many people in the United States since 1999. The crisis has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people in the US since 1999.
What’s the impact of the opioid crisis in the U.S.?
The opioid crisis has had a devastating impact, with significant loss of life. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that nearly 727,000 people in the U.S.died from opioid-related overdoses between 1999 and 2022. These overdoses involved both prescription and illegally obtained opioids.However,in 2023,opioid-related deaths,primarily from fentanyl,saw a slight decrease.
Has anyone else been held accountable for the opioid crisis?
Yes, other companies and organizations have also been held accountable. The New York Attorney General, such as, has secured more then $3 billion from companies involved in the opioid crisis. Those include:
Purdue Pharma (a pharmaceutical manufacturer)
Drug distributors such as CVS,Walgreens,and Walmart
A subsidiary of a French advertising firm
The consulting firm McKinsey
For the first time since 2018,opioid-related deaths saw a slight decrease in 2023,primarily from Fentanyl.
How is this settlement a step toward addressing the crisis?
This settlement is a step toward addressing the opioid crisis because:
Accountability: It holds a pharmaceutical company accountable for its actions.
Financial Resources: The funds will likely be used to support prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts.
Deterrence: it may deter other companies from similar practices.