Florida gets $683M from Walgreens opioid settlement

Walgreens pharmacy reached a $683 million settlement with Florida on Thursday in the state's opioid crisis suit.

Driving the news: The deal comes after the state spent four weeks in court presenting evidence accusing Walgreens of improperly dispensing millions of painkillers.

• The national chain was the 12th and final defendant to settle with Florida, , which has brought in more than $3 billion through its opioid-related litigation.
• Florida plans to use that money to tackle opioid addictions and overdoses.

What they're saying: "We now go into battle armed and ready to fight back hard against this man-made crisis," State Attorney General Ashley Moody said during a news conference in Tampa. "I am glad that we have been able to end this monumental litigation and move past the courtroom."

Between the lines: Walgreens, which did not admit wrongdoing in the settlement, will pay $620 million to the state over 18 years and a one-time sum of $63 million for attorney fees.