Present law authorizes the attorney general, upon written approval of the governor and comptroller of the treasury, to release any pending or future claim of governmental entities against McKesson, Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen, Johnson & Johnson, Allergan Finance, CVS, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Walgreens, Walmart, K-VA-T Food Stores, and Kroger in such entities' settlement agreements for activities related to the manufacture, marketing, distribution, dispensing, or sale of opioids, if the attorney general deems the release necessary to the interest of the state in the resolution of the opioid crisis. This bill adds to the list of entities authorized for release Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries. For proceeds received from a statewide opioid settlement agreement with McKesson, Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen, Johnson & Johnson, Allergan Finance, CVS, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Walgreens, Walmart, K-VA-T Food Stores, or Kroger, present law requires the Tennessee opioid abatement council to disburse 35% of these proceeds to counties that join the settlement and 65% for statewide, regional, or local opioid abatement and remediation purposes. This bill adds to such funds proceeds from a settlement agreement with Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, or Sun Pharmaceutical Industries. ON MARCH 10, 2025, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 48, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 makes the following revisions:  Adds to the list of entities authorized for release Indivior Inc., Viatris Inc., and Purdue Pharma L.P.  Adds to funds proceeds from a settlement agreement with Indivior Inc., Viatris Inc., and Purdue Pharma L.P.  Applies the bill, in addition to settlement agreements for activities related to the manufacture, marketing, distribution, dispensing, or sale of opioids, to a bankruptcy plan and related agreements to such activities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 20-13-203, 33-11-103(p), 33-11-103