Attorney General Dave Sunday, along with 54 other state attorneys general, announced a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family over their role in the nationwide opioid crisis.
The settlement resolves all pending litigation against Purdue and the Sacklers, who have acknowledged their contribution to the epidemic through mass production and aggressive marketing of opioids. As part of the agreement, the Sacklers will no longer own Purdue Pharma or be allowed to sell opioids in the U.S.
Pennsylvania is expected to receive up to $200 million from the settlement over the next 15 years, depending on municipal participation.
The funds will be directed to addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery programs nationwide, with most of the money distributed in the first three years. The Sacklers will contribute $1.5 billion initially, and Purdue will pay approximately $900 million. Additional payments of $500 million, $500 million, and $400 million are scheduled over the following three years.
The settlement is the largest to date with individuals held responsible for the opioid crisis. Final approval depends on a bankruptcy court hearing scheduled in the coming days.
