WASHINGTON – Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family have reached a $7.4 billion settlement with all 55 attorneys general, representing every eligible U.S. state and territory. The agreement aims to resolve years of litigation over the company’s role in fueling the nationwide opioid crisis.
As part of the deal, the Sacklers have notified attorneys general of their intent to proceed with the settlement, which would permanently end their control of Purdue Pharma and prohibit them from selling opioids in the United States.
Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family have been at the center of thousands of lawsuits by state and local governments. These lawsuits accuse the company of fueling the opioid crisis through deceptive marketing of OxyContin, a powerful painkiller introduced in the mid-1990s.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced that his state is expected to receive approximately $10.1 million as part of the agreement. The money will be distributed over a 15-year period and directed to the National Opioid Settlement Fund, administered by the South Dakota Department of Social Services.
“South Dakota families have suffered because of this company’s involvement in the opioid drug crisis,” said Attorney General Jackley. “The funds are important, but no amount of money will ever compensate families for the pain they have suffered watching loved ones deal with opioid abuse.”
With this new agreement, South Dakota’s total opioid-related settlements now total approximately $54 million. The funds are designated for addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery efforts across the state.
Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family have been at the center of thousands of lawsuits by state and local governments. These lawsuits accuse the company of fueling the opioid crisis through deceptive marketing of OxyContin, a powerful painkiller introduced in the mid-1990s.
