As part of the deal, Walmart has also agreed to dispense 672,000 treatment kits with the anti-overdose drug naloxone to first responders in the state.

Walmart Inc has agreed to pay USD 215 million to resolve claims its pharmacies fueled an epidemic of opioid addiction in Florida, the state's attorney general announced on Thursday.

As part of the deal, Walmart has also agreed to dispense 672,000 treatment kits with the anti-overdose drug naloxone to first responders in the state.

"I'm grateful to Walmart for stepping up and agreeing to partner with the state to provide law enforcement and first responders with much-needed naloxone," Attorney General Ashley Moody said in a statement. "This will greatly help in our continuing mission to end the opioid crisis and save lives," she added.

The state has now secured a total of USD 3.2 billion through legal action to help fight the opioid crisis, according to Moody's office. That includes recent settlements of USD 683 million with Walgreens Boots Alliance, USD 484 million with CVS Health Corp and a combined USD 394 million with three drugmakers.

"This partnership is the latest chapter in Walmart's commitment to fight the opioid crisis," Walmart spokesperson Randy Hargrove said in a statement.

The retailer, which did not admit any wrongdoing, previously settled opioid-related claims brought by West Virginia for USD 65 million and New Mexico for an undisclosed sum. It was also ordered in August to pay a combined USD 650.6 million with Walgreens and CVS to two Ohio counties.

The U.S. opioid crisis has caused more than 500,000 overdose deaths over two decades, according to federal government data. More than 3,300 lawsuits have been filed accusing drugmakers, distributors and pharmacy chains of fueling the crisis.

Major drugmakers and distributors have reached nationwide settlements worth more than 30 billion USD altogether, resolving most lawsuits against them, while pharmacy operators have continued to litigate or settle cases one by one.