Walgreens reaches opioid settlement with Florida

DEERFIELD - Walgreens Boots Alliance reached a $683 million settlement with the state of Florida over claims that the company contributed to the opioid crisis by improperly marketing the painkillers.

The deal, which calls on the pharmacy chain to pay out $620 million over 18 years and sets aside another $63 million for attorney's fees, puts an end to a trial in a state court north of Tampa. Florida officials alleged Walgreens dispensed more than 4 billion opioid prescriptions in Florida over a 15-year period starting in 2006 and failed to pick up on red flags about potential misuse on about half of the opioid prescriptions filled.

The settlement includes no admission of wrongdoing or liability by the company, Walgreens said Thursday in a statement.

"As the largest pharmacy chain in the state, we remain focused on and committed to being part of the solution, and believe this resolution is in the best interest of all parties involved and the communities we serve across Florida," said Danielle Gray, executive vice president and global chief legal officer, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

Earlier this year CVS Health Corp., Allergan Ltd. and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. agreed to pay a combined $879 million to settle Florida's claims. The settlement funds will be used by the state of Florida to support its efforts to combat and treat opioid addiction.