All 50 U.S. states, along with Washington, D.C., and four U.S. territories, have agreed to a $7.4 billion settlement with the company linked to OxyContin, officials announced on Monday. The agreement involves the company and the renowned family behind it.
This settlement concludes ongoing lawsuits against Purdue Pharma, which, under the leadership of the Sackler family, developed, produced, and robustly marketed opioid products for many years. According to the lawsuits, states and cities nationwide claimed these actions contributed to widespread addiction and overdose fatalities.
The attorneys general from 55 states and territories have endorsed this landmark settlement. They stated that it will terminate the Sacklers’ control over Purdue and prohibit them from manufacturing, selling, or promoting opioids in the United States.
California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia led the team that negotiated the settlement, which marks the largest of its kind involving the opioid crisis, officials said.
“As Pennsylvania families and communities suffered during an unprecedented addiction crisis, Purdue and the Sacklers reaped the mammoth profits from their products,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a statement. “This monumental settlement achieves the top priority of getting as much money as quickly as possible to prevention, treatment, and recovery programs across the Commonwealth. My office will continue engagement with municipal leaders to ensure millions of dollars reach every corner of the state.”
In this Feb. 19, 2013, file photo, OxyContin pills are shown at a pharmacy in Montpelier, Vt.
Toby Talbot/AP, FILE
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
