Hopkins Among Counties Named In Law Suit
An opioid settlement in the amount $225 million has been reached with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, the fourth opioid settlement the state has reached, Attorney General Ken Paxton reported Monday morning in a press release. Hopkins County is one of the entities named in the suit, and as such should benefit from a portion of the funding.
“This agreement is not only another win for Texas, but a major step in the right direction to help people overcome opioid addiction,” Attorney General Paxton was quoted in the press release. “Pharmaceutical companies must be held accountable for their role in this devastating epidemic. These resources will be used to fund recovery initiatives that will help countless Texans.”
As part of the settlement, Teva will also provide $75 million worth of the medication Narcan, which is a lifesaving intervention for opioid overdoses. Narcan can reverse the frequently fatal effects of illegal street drugs such as fentanyl and heroin, as well as most prescription opioid pain relievers. This settlement will provide needed resources to local law enforcement and the medical personnel who are fighting the opioid epidemic in our communities.
The Teva settlement is the fourth opioid settlement finalized for Texas. Combined more than $618 million in funding has been secured from Teva, Endo, Johnson & Johnson, and McKinsey.
County Judge Robert Newsom Monday morning said Hopkins County Commissioners Court doesn’t know yet how much the settlements will mean for Hopkins County, but are slated at the end of the month to meet with attorneys regarding the amounts and potential uses of the funding designated for use in Hopkins County.
Delta, Franklin, Titus, Rockwall, Red River, Van Zandt, Morris, Lamar, Texarkana Independent School District, Bowie, and Camp are also among the Litigating Subdivisions and Litigating Special Districtsi n Northeast Texas named in the suit.
To read the settlement click here.
