Walgreens Boots Alliance reached a $683 million settlement with Florida to resolve claims that the pharmacy chain exacerbated an opioid epidemic in the state.

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. supplied billions of opioid pills to drug addicts and criminals, contributing to an addiction epidemic in Florida, a lawyer for the state said on April 11 as a civil trial against the pharmacy chain got underway.

CVS, Walmart, Walgreens

Lawyers for pharmacy chains including CVS and Walgreens on November 15 argued they were not to blame for the U.S. opioid epidemic, as jurors prepared to consider whether to hold them responsible for the devastation the drug crisis caused in two Ohio counties.

A highly anticipated trial pitting New York state against McKesson Corp., Johnson & Johnson, CVS Health Corp. and others for allegedly fueling the opioid epidemic was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to the court.