Walgreens reaches $683 million opioid settlement with Florida

　　div classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodivpBy Dietrich Knauthp

　　pReuters – Walgreens Boots Alliance said on Thursday it has reached a 683 million settlement with Florida to resolve claims that the pharmacy chain exacerbated an opioid epidemic in the state.pdivdivdiv classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodiv

　　pThe settlement includes 620 million to be paid to Florida over 18 years, plus 63 million for legal fees.p

　　pIt ends a trial that began on April 11, after Walgreens decided not to join a combined 878 million settlement with four other healthcare companies.p

　　pWalgreens did not admit to wrongdoing as part of the settlement.p

　　pThe nationwide opioid crisis has led to more than 500,000 overdose deaths in the last two decades, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. p

　　pMore than 3,300 lawsuits have been filed against drugmakers, distributors and pharmacies over the crisis, including claims they played down the risks of addiction and overdoses, and were lax is monitoring where pills ended up.p

　　p

　　pp Reporting by Dietrich Knauth Editing by Bill Berkrotp

　　divdivdiv classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodivdivdiv