Council to take action to approve the National Opioid Settlement involving the "Remnant Defendants" under the National Prescription Opiate Litigation (MDL 2804); authorize the Mayor to approve the exe

4.E
CITY OF BUCKEYE
Regular Council Meeting
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
MEETING DATE: 04/21/26
AGENDA ITEM: 4.E. FIN - Six Remnant
Defendants National Opioid Settlement
DATE PREPARED: 04/20/26
DISTRICT NO.: All
STAFF LIAISON: Rob Roach, Grant Program and Procurement Manager,
rroach@buckeyeaz.gov, (623) 349-6165
DEPARTMENT: Financial Services
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Consent Agenda
Items / New Business
ACTION/MOTION: (This language identifies the formal motion to be made by the Council) 
Council to take action to approve the National Opioid Settlement involving the "Remnant Defendants"
under the National Prescription Opiate Litigation (MDL 2804); authorize the Mayor to approve the
execution of the Settlement Participation form on behalf of the City; and authorize the Mayor, City
Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk to take the steps necessary to carry out the terms of said Opioid
Settlement on behalf of the City of Buckeye.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOCUS AREAS: 
Innovative and High Performing Organizations
SUMMARY
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
State and local governments across the country have been litigating against the opioid industry, alleging
that the industry utilized unethical and illegal practices with respect to promoting the use of opioids.
In December 2020, Council approved the One Arizona Opioid Settlement Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between the State and Participating Local governments. The MOU served to
jointly approach settlement negotiations with the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Participants. In
November 2021, Council approved the One Arizona Opioid Agreement, which establishes Arizona's
disbursement of the funds related to a national class action lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and
distributors. In December 2022, Council approved the execution and delivery of the National Opioids
Distributor Settlement Agreement with three opioid distributors, McKesson, AmerisourceBergen and
Cardinal, and the Janssen Settlement Agreement with one manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson. In April
2023, Council approved the execution and delivery of the National Opioids Distributor and Settlement
Agreements in the National Settlement(s) for five opioid distributors: Teva, Allergan, Walmart,
Walgreens, and CVS. In August 2025, Council approved the execution and delivery of the Purdue Direct
Settlement. 
In August 2025, a new proposed national opioids settlement was reached with eight opioid
manufacturers: Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikma, Indivior, Mylan, Sun, and Zydus. The settlement is
known as the Secondary Manufacturers Settlement.
The most recent proposed settlement is the Six Remnant Defendants settlement. There is $97,625,000
available to be distributed in this settlement. The amounts, terms, and conditions of the various past
settlements vary widely. The distributions of the settlements are intended to benefit the City of Buckeye
and its citizens. Buckeye Police will be using the funds to support the funding of a full-time civilian
investigator position regarding opioid incidents and related investigations, and may also be used for
treatment, prevention efforts, and education in the Buckeye community related to the opioid crisis. This is
an allowable use of funds. The next step in the process is for the Council to approve the submission of
the Settlement Participation form. The agreement provides for a complete waiver of any and all past,

current and future claims related to opioid use and is essentially a contract of adhesion, as there is no
ability to negotiate the terms at the city level, as the State took on that responsibility.
If enough political subdivisions participate by submitting the attached Settlement Participation form to the
national settlement administrators by April 24, 2026, the settlement will be finalized. The exact amount
that will be disbursed and when the disbursement will take place is based on the total number of
municipalities throughout the US that sign off on the agreements.
Failure to approve and submit Settlement Participation forms for the Six Remnant Defendants by April
24, 2026, will mean the City will not receive any funds from the settlements.
To receive these critically needed funds to assist in addressing the opioid crisis in our community, the
staff recommends Council approval of submission of the Settlement Participation Form authorizing the
City to participate in the opioid settlement.
BENEFITS:
The distributions of the settlements are intended to benefit the City of Buckeye and its citizens. Previous
settlement funds are being used to support the funding of a civilian investigator position regarding opioid
and related investigations, as well as used for treatment, prevention efforts, and education in the
Buckeye community related to the opioid crisis. This is an allowable use of funds. This new settlement
will continue to contribute to these efforts.
FUTURE ACTION:
Completion and submission of Settlement Participation Form by April 24, 2026.
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT:
Funds received from these settlements are being used to fund a full-time employee position that
investigates opioid related incidents and may be used for treatment, prevention efforts, and education in
the Buckeye community related to the opioid crisis.
CURRENT FISCAL YEAR TOTAL COST:
It is unknown at this time as to how much the City will receive.
BUDGETED:
No
FISCAL YEAR:
2027 and ongoing until the settlement has been completed.
FUND/DEPARTMENT:
Police
Items related to a project or facility location must include an attached vicinity map for Council
Review.
ATTACHMENTS:
3471470_participation_form.pdf
settlement_overview_six_remnant_defendants.pdf
Letter Dated March 6 2026.pdf
CAR Recap Summary - Six Remnant Defendants Opioid Settlement.docx