Albertsons opioids settlement: Grocer to pay $774M for role in epidemic
Albertsons Grocery Store In San Marcos, CA on December 10, 2025 in San Marcos, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Albertsons Companies)
Albertsons has agreed to pay $774 million to settle thousands of lawsuits claiming its pharmacies helped fuel the nation's opioid epidemic.
The major grocery chain announced the settlement Tuesday. Here’s the latest:
Albertsons opioids settlement
What we know:
According to Reuters, the settlement will be paid over nine years, resolving lawsuits filed by states, local governments and Native American tribes who claim Albertsons’ pharmacies made the nation’s opioid crisis worse.
What we don't know:
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, whose office announced the settlement, said it’s still unclear whether it will also include injunctive relief, which would force the company to take action (or stop taking action).
What they're saying:
"This settlement framework marks a significant step toward resolving opioid-related litigation, and Albertsons Cos. believes the settlement framework is in the best interest of all parties," Albertsons said in a statement. "This settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing or liability.
"The Company is continuing its ongoing commitment to patient safety, responsible pharmacy operations, robust training and tools for pharmacy teams, and being a constructive partner in addressing the opioid crisis."
Big picture view:
Thousands of lawsuits have been brought by state and local governments against drugmakers, wholesalers and pharmacies for their role in a drug epidemic that killed 900,000 people from 1999 to 2025. The total amount of opioid settlement money so far is roughly $50 billion.
Albertsons has 2,244 retail food and drug stores in the U.S. with 1,713 in-store pharmacies. Albertsons also operates under the names Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, ACME, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets and Balducci's Food Lovers Market.
The Source: This report includes information from Reuters, Albertsons and The Associated Press.