Albertsons Companies has reached a $774 million settlement framework for resolving substantially all opioid-related claims brought against it by state, local and tribal governments across the country. Other pharmacy retailers including Walgreens, CVS Health and Walmart have agreed to settlements totaling over $13 billion in recent years to address the harms caused by opioids.
The settlement announcement came as Albertsons revealed financial results for its 2025 fiscal year, which ended Feb. 28, 2026. Net sales and other revenue climbed to $83.1 billion, a 3.5% increase over the $80.4 billion generated in FY 2024. The retailer also increased same-store sales 2% during this period.
Albertsons stressed that the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing or liability. A company statement noted that “for years, Albertsons Cos. has invested in strong pharmacy practices designed to promote the safe and appropriate use of prescription medications. As trusted healthcare professionals in the communities they serve, Albertsons Cos. pharmacists work directly with patients every day to provide guidance, education and care focused on safe and appropriate medication use.”
In December 2022 Walmart agreed to a $3.1 billion settlement that would cover claims in all 50 states. In May 2023 Walgreens reached a $230 million settlement of opioid claims with the city of San Francisco, following a November 2022 settlement agreement that saw Walgreens and CVS Health settle nationwide opioid suits for approximately $10 billion.
