Walgreens to pay $683m to settle claims it exacerbated opioid crisis in Florida

Pharmacy giant agrees to pay state government over 18-year period but does not admit to wrongdoing as part of the deal

Pharmacy giant Walgreens said on Thursday it has reached a $683m settlement with Florida to resolve claims that the chain exacerbated an opioid epidemic in the state.

The settlement includes $620m to be paid to Florida over 18 years, plus $63m for legal fees. Florida is the first state to settle its opioid claims against major pharmacy chains Walgreens and CVS, collecting more than $1.1bn from the two companies.