Oregon AG leads deal for Albertsons to pay $773M in opioid settlement

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- On Monday, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced an agreement in principle with grocery chain Albertsons, requiring the company to pay up to $773 million to address its role in the opioid epidemic. Oregon, which helped lead the multistate negotiations, will receive up to $38.2 million over nine years.

These funds are designated to support addiction treatment and recovery programs across the state.

Albertsons operates in Oregon under its own name and as Safeway--the settlement specifically covers the company's conduct as a pharmacy chain. The agreement addresses Albertsons' dispensing of opioids during the height of the crisis.

Rayfield emphasized the intended use of the settlement funds. “Every dollar from this settlement is going toward helping Oregonians recover – treatment, services, and support for the families and communities hit hardest by this crisis,” said Attorney General Rayfield. “Oregon pharmacies have a legal and moral obligation to be part of the solution, not the problem.”

Nationally, $655 million of the total settlement amount will be placed into an abatement fund. This fund is intended for states and local governments to direct toward opioid recovery efforts.

While the parties have reached an agreement on the total dollar amount, negotiations are ongoing regarding injunctive relief. These negotiations concern conduct changes that will govern how Albertsons operates its pharmacies going forward.

The settlement is not yet final. Both parties are continuing to negotiate the remaining terms.