Purdue Pharma and members of the Sackler family have agreed to pay up to $7.4 billion to settle lawsuits related to the opioid crisis, attorneys general from several states announced. The new agreement replaces a previous settlement that the U.S. Supreme Court blocked in 2024. Under the terms, the Sackler family will contribute up to $6.5 billion and relinquish ownership of Purdue, while the company itself will pay nearly $900 million. The deal, which still requires court approval, is among the largest opioid-related settlements, with funds designated for victims, communities, and programs addressing addiction. Unlike many previous settlements, this agreement includes between $800 million and $850 million specifically for individual victims or their survivors. The settlement also includes $800 million for future claims against the Sacklers.
Purdue Pharma sought bankruptcy protection in 2019 as it faced thousands of lawsuits accusing the company of downplaying the addiction risks of OxyContin. The Sackler family, once prominent benefactors of cultural institutions, has faced criticism and had their name removed from several universities and art galleries. A U.S. bankruptcy judge is expected to decide on temporary legal protections for the Sacklers as the case proceeds.
