HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 04-07-2026; 12-6 - Information Item - Memorandum - Opioid Litigation Settlement Report ORANGE COUNTY <�"4`
P.O. BOX 8181
Office of the County 200 S. CAMERON STREET
Attorney HILLSBOROUGH, NC 27278
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TO: Board of County Commissioners
Jean Hamilton, Chair
Amy Fowler, Vice Chair
Jamezetta Bedford
Marilyn Carter
Sally Greene
Earl McKee
Phyllis Portie-Ascott
FROM: John Roberts, County Attorney
DATE: April 3, 2026
RE: Opioid Litigation Settlement Report
The purpose of this memorandum is to report the terms of multiple settlements related to the
National Opioid Litigation MDL 2804. The National Opioid Litigation has been ongoing since
2017. Orange County continues to participate as a plaintiff.
North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3) provides that when the settlement of litigation
is authorized or considered in closed session the terms of the settlement will be entered into the
minutes of the public body.
As previously reported, national settlements have been finalized with multiple manufacturer and
distributor defendants. On March 5, 2026 the Board of County Commissioners entered closed
session to consider a settlement with an additional six defendants. These six regional
distributors/dispenser defendants: Associated Pharmacies, Inc. (and American Associated
Pharmacies); J M Smith Corporation; Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc.; Morris and
Dickson Co.; North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Company, Inc.; and United Natural Foods,
Inc. (including its subsidiaries SuperValu and Advantage Logistics).
This settlement resulted in an additional $97,625,000 in funds available to the plaintiffs. These
funds are distributable among all the more than 2000 plaintiffs. Orange County's very minor
share of 0.0340013667% of this amount is determined by a formula developed by the plaintiffs'
attorneys and approved by the Court. All funds received by Orange County must be used to
address the opioid epidemic and is limited by the intergovernmental agreement with the State of
North Carolina.