TITLE
Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF OPIOID SETTLEMENTS WITH SIX REMNANT DEFENDANTS
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
County Attorney Carolyn Thompson / County Manager Victor Isler
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BACKGROUND
Background
A new national settlement has been finalized with the following six additional opioid distributor/dispenser defendants under the Remnant Defendants’ Settlement Agreement dated February 23, 2026: Associated Pharmacies, Inc. (and American Associated Pharmacies); JM Smith Co.; Morris and Dickson; Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc.; North Carolina Wholesale Drug Company, Inc.; and UNFI/SuperValu. The total value of this national settlement is $97,625,000.
The National Consortium strongly recommends participation in this settlement. This settlement follows the national framework used in prior resolutions and provides additional abatement funding without the expense and delay of continued litigation.
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RESOLUTION
Resolution
RESOLUTION BY THE GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF OPIOID SETTLEMENTS WITH SIX REMNANT DEFENDANTS
WHEREAS, more than 41,500 North Carolinians lost their lives to a drug overdose from 2000-2023.
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated the total economic burden of prescription opioid misuse alone in the United States to be $78.5 billion a year, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement;
WHEREAS, in 2024, there were 181 overdose deaths among Guilford County residents. This includes deaths from any medication or illicit drug. Guilford County resident death rate increased 7% from 2020 to 2024, compared to a 16% decrease among all North Carolina Residents over the same time period.
WHEREAS, certain counties and municipalities in North Carolina joined with thousands of local governments across the country to file lawsuits against opioid companies, manufacturers, pharmaceutical distributors, and chain drug...
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