In a historic move, all 50 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and four U.S. territories have agreed to a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, and the Sackler family—the company’s former owners. The agreement ends years of litigation over the company’s role in the opioid epidemic.

Under the deal, the Sacklers will relinquish ownership of Purdue and be barred from any future opioid business in the United States. The funds will go toward prevention, treatment, and recovery programs over the next 15 years, with a significant portion—nearly $3.4 billion—being distributed in the first three years.

California (woo!), Pennsylvania, Texas, and 11 other states led the negotiations, which follow a June 2024 U.S. Supreme Court decision to block a previous $6 billion settlement. The revised agreement increased that total to $7.4 billion.

Purdue will remain under supervision and will not be allowed to lobby or market opioids moving forward. The company and the Sacklers will also provide medicines to help combat opioid use disorder and overdoses.

"This monumental settlement achieves the top priority of getting as much money as quickly as possible to prevention, treatment, and recovery programs," said Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave.

Though many officials acknowledge the settlement can never undo the damage caused by the opioid crisis, they view it as a significant step toward accountability and healing.

Source: ABC News – States agree to $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma in opioid litigation by Meredith Deliso