Attorney General Kathy Jennings today announced a multistate settlement in principle with pharmaceutical company Mylan Inc. (Mylan) that will deliver up to $335 million nationwide to help combat the opioid crisis.  

Mylan, which is now a part of Viatris, has manufactured and sold a variety of opioids since 2005, including generic fentanyl patches, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and buprenorphine products. The attorneys general allege Mylan deceptively promoted its products as less prone to abuse despite knowing for years that many of its opioid products – particularly its fentanyl patches – were actually more vulnerable to abuse. The company fueled the opioid crisis by marketing directly to doctors, leading to dangerous overprescribing and diversion of its opioids into the illegal drug market.  

“Mylan’s business practices helped stoke the flames of the opioid crisis,” said Attorney General Jennings. “These funds will help support Delaware’s efforts to abate this ongoing public health crisis.” 

Delaware’s opioid overdose fatalities have been among the worst in the nation on a per-capita basis. Under the multistate settlement in principle, Mylan will pay up to $335 million to participating states over nine years. 

In addition to Delaware, the states joining the settlement are California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia. 

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