Santa Rosa County gets $1.4 million from Walmart opioid settlement
The Santa Rosa County Board of Commissioners took action to secure its share of Florida's $215 million settlement agreement with Walmart.
To receive its estimated $1.4 million share of the settlement money, the board was required to authorize participation in the settlement deal, which resolves state claims against the company that its pharmacies had helped contribute to an opioid crisis.
County Attorney Tom Dannheisser said the dollar amount of $1.4 million is an estimate based on a formula provided by the state. He said county officials have not determined how the money will be spent.
"I don't believe there are any restrictions on it," he said. "It will go into the general fund to start."
In October, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the settlement with Walmart.
The agreement document stated that the county had filed lawsuits against other chain pharmacies "regarding their prescription opioid medication practices but not against Walmart."
It said Walmart had done less to exacerbate the crisis than some other companies, sellers and distributors.
"Walmart dispensed many fewer opioids per store and in dosages that were substantially lower than the other major chain pharmacies and independent pharmacies in Florida," the settlement said.
According to the settlement, Walmart denied all claims and allegations of wrongdoing.
In October, Moody told reporters that as part of the settlement agreement Walmart agreed to provide 672,000 naloxone kits to first responders for 10 years. Naloxone is a medication used to reverse an opioid overdose.
Florida has obtained $3.2 billion from opioid manufacturers and distributors. including $870 million from settlements with the companies Teva, CVS and Allergan PLC. Walgreens went to trial before settling its case with the state for $683 million.
Escambia County is also entitled to a pay out as part of the Walmart settlement agreement. Spokeswoman Andie Gibson said the amount of money to be dispersed to the county will be identified at a later date.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Santa Rosa County to get $1.4 million from Walmart opioid settlement
