Share this @internewscast.com

Consulting firm McKinsey & Co has agreed to pay $78 million to resolve claims by U.S. health insurers and benefit plans that it fueled an epidemic of opioid addiction through its work for drug companies including OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma.

The settlement was disclosed in papers filed on Friday in federal court in San Francisco. It marked the last in a series of settlements McKinsey has reached resolving lawsuits over the U.S. opioid epidemic.

Plaintiffs accused McKinsey, one of the leading global consulting firms, of contributing to the deadly drug crisis by helping drug manufacturers including Purdue Pharma design deceptive marketing plans and boost sales of painkillers.

McKinsey previously paid $641.5 million to resolve claims by state attorneys general and another $230 million to resolve claims by local governments. It has also settled cases by Native American tribes.

Friday’s class action settlement, which requires a judge’s approval, resolves claims by so-called third-party payers like insurers that provide health and welfare benefits.

Paul Geller, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, in a statement said the drug crisis was caused by an oversupply of dangerous addictive drugs, and the case aimed to “recover some of the money spent on the over-prescribed pills.”

McKinsey did not admit wrongdoing. In a statement, the firm said it continued to believe its past work was lawful. It also noted it had committed in 2019 to no longer advise clients on any opioid-related business.

Thousands of lawsuits have been filed by states, local governments and Native American tribes accusing drug companies of downplaying the risks of opioid painkillers, and distributors and pharmacies of ignoring red flags that they were being trafficked illegally.

The litigation has resulted in more than $50 billion in settlements with drugmakers, distributors and pharmacy chains.

Nearly 645,000 people died in the United States from overdoses involving opioids, both prescription and illicit, from 1999 to 2021, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The U.S. Supreme Court earlier this month heard a challenge by President Joe Biden’s administration to Purdue Pharma’s multi-billion-dollar bankruptcy settlement resolving related claims against the drugmaker.

Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; editing by Diane Craft

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Diddy trial: Jury in Sean Combs' sex trafficking trial to resume deliberations after reaching partial verdict

Diddy Court Case: Jury to Continue Deliberations After Partial Verdict in Sean Combs’ Sex Trafficking Trial

NEW YORK — The jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial…
NCAA settlement: Colleges can start paying their athletes directly starting July 1

Colleges to Begin Direct Payments to Athletes from July 1 After NCAA Settlement

As of Tuesday, schools are now permitted to begin compensating their athletes…
Trump Wins $16M in CBS Lawsuit Settlement

CBS Agrees to $16M Settlement with Trump

Paramount Global settled a lawsuit with President Donald Trump for $16 million.…
Portrait of Colonel Ruslan Goryachkin.

Leading Putin Commander Among ‘Many Killed’ as UK’s Storm Shadow Attack Destroys Russian HQ in Ukraine After Months

ONE of Vladimir Putin’s top commanders are among the multiple dead following…
Man with unique hairstyle wearing a sweatshirt with three kittens printed on it.

Man Exposes Shocking Plan to Marry Off 9-Year-Old Girl in Fake Disneyland Ceremony to British Predator

A man assigned to impersonate a “bride’s father” has shared how he…
The key to solving your relationship problems might come down to your emojis, new study reveals

New Study Suggests Emojis Could Be the Secret to Resolving Relationship Issues

Emojis can improve relationships, according to new research. American researchers suggest that…
Trump reveals his ‘first choice’ for open North Carolina Senate seat 

Trump Announces His ‘Top Pick’ for Vacant North Carolina Senate Seat

On Tuesday, President Trump expressed his preference for his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump,…
WTH?! Kristi Noem Reveals Horrifying Details About Detained Cannibal Illegal Alien

Shocking Details Unveiled: Kristi Noem Discusses Case of Detained Cannibalistic Illegal Immigrant

Let’s put this situation in the “What the heck?!” category. Details of…
Plane crash at an airport with emergency personnel and onlookers.

Haunting Audio Captures Russians Shooting Down Plane on Christmas, Killing 38, Aware It Wasn’t a Ukrainian Drone

A CHILLING audio clip has emerged revealing the moment Russians shot down…
Trump Wins Massive Payout From CBS Over Kamala Interview Scandal, Details of Settlement Humiliate Network

CBS Settles with Trump for Large Sum After Kamala Interview Scandal, Leaving Network Embarrassed

Paramount Global and CBS News have reached a settlement in a lawsuit…
He pioneered the cellphone. It changed how people around the world talk to each other — and don’t

He Revolutionized Communication: How the Cellphone Transformed Global Interaction

DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) — Dick Tracy got an atom-powered two-way wrist…
Inside Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce's 'wonderful' lunch date near his hometown

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Enjoy a Delightful Lunch Date Near His Hometown

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift going out near his Ohio hometown hits…