CRIME
Purdue Pharma to pay billions for role in U.S. opioid crisis
January 24, 2025 - Purdue Pharma, and the Sackler family who controlled it, are to pay out $7.4 billion for promoting OxyContin as a safe painkiller, despite knowing it was highly addictive.
Purdue Pharma, and the Sackler family who controlled it, have agreed to pay out $7.4 billion for their instrumental role in the deadly U.S. “Opioid Crisis” that’s killed more than half-a-million Americans since 1999 – the largest settlement to date with individuals responsible for the crisis.
The Sacklers promoted their prescription painkiller, OxyContin, as safe despite knowing it was both highly addictive and widely abused, often becoming an entryway to harder drugs such as heroin.
The Sacklers have been blamed for worsening the crisis while lining their pockets with billions of dollars in profits.
The office of Letitia James, the New York Attorney General, says the agreement, which still needs final court approval, will be used to fund opioid addiction and prevention programmes across the country.
Since 1999, a few years after OxyContin became available, deaths from opioid overdoses in the U.S. have surged to tens of thousands every year.
- Purdue and Sackler family agree $7.4bn opioid settlement (BBC)
- Attorney General secures $7.4bn from Purdue Pharma (New Your Attorney General)
- 10 Biggest Pharmaceutical Settlements (Peter Angelos Law)
- Drug distributors, J&J agree to finalise $26 bln opioid settlement (Reuters)
- The most expensive lawsuit settlements in history (Waldrons Solicitors)