Attorney General Josh Stein also helped lead negotiations for $21 billion in national settlements released in November and December 2022 with CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Allergan, and Teva (“Wave Two Settlements”). These Wave Two Settlements have the potential to bring significantly greater resources across North Carolina to address the opioid epidemic. North Carolina’s state and local governments stand to receive more than $600 million over 15 years from the Wave Two Settlements, in addition to the more than $750 million they will already receive from the Wave One Settlements.
North Carolina counties and municipalities have until April 18, 2023 to agree to participate in these new settlements. As with the Wave One Settlements, North Carolina will receive its full share of payments from the Wave Two Settlements only if all eligible governments sign onto each settlement. As with the Wave One Settlements, the defendants will finalize the Wave Two Settlements only if the vast majority of local governments across the nation sign onto them. If North Carolina achieves the same 100% participation by counties and larger municipalities, funds from the Wave Two Settlement should start arriving in North Carolina during the second half of 2023.
Supplemental Agreement for Additional Funds
The Supplemental Agreement for Additional Funds from Additional Settlements of Opioid Litigation (“SAAF”) provides that the bulk of the money from the Wave Two Settlements will go to counties and municipalities to address the opioid crisis. The SAAF extends to the Wave Two Settlements the basic terms of the MOA that governs the Wave One settlements. Like the MOA, the SAAF has the support of the North Carolina Department of Justice, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC), and the North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM).
Resources for Local Governments
Draft resolution templates for local governments to join the Wave Two Settlements & SAAF
More about the Wave Two Settlements