Florida will receive more than $870 million from CVS Health and three drug companies as part of the settlement of a major opioid case, according to The Associated Press.
The money must be spent on tackling the opioid crisis in the state, including prevention efforts, treatment, or recovery services. The funds will be divided between the state and Florida's cities and counties, which have been battling an overwhelming number of opioid overdoses and massive illicit drug use due to the "pill mill" epidemic, the AP reported.
"The opioid epidemic is wreaking havoc on Florida families," Ashley Moody, Florida's attorney general, said in a statement.
"I have worked tirelessly to hold accountable those companies who helped start this crisis," she said. "The monies…will help further our efforts to remediate the harm and suffering of Floridians."
CVS Health Corp. and CVS Pharmacy Inc. will pay $484 million. Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. will pay $195 million, Allergan PLC will pay $134 million, and Endo Health Solutions will pay $65 million.
In addition, Teva will provide $84 million worth of its naloxone nasal spray, a medication that temporarily reverses the effects of opioids when an overdose occurs.
After California, Florida reports the second-highest number of overdose deaths per year, according to the