Purdue, Sacklers Finalize $7.4B Opioid Settlement Deal

Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family have agreed to a $7.4 billion settlement with all 50 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and several territories, resolving litigation over their role in the opioid crisis. If approved by a federal judge, the deal will end Sackler ownership of Purdue and bar them from future opioid sales in the U.S. Settlement funds will be distributed over 15 years, with more than half paid out in the early years to support addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery. Individual victims, local governments, and others have until September 30 to vote on the agreement. Payment amounts to states will vary, with some states like West Virginia receiving accelerated disbursements due to the crisis's severity. The deal is among the largest in a series of opioid settlements that have collectively secured about $50 billion to combat the epidemic.