All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories have agreed to a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, in response to its questionable opioid marketing practices. This agreement, filed in federal bankruptcy court, mandates payments over 15 years and aims to hold the Sackler family, owners of Purdue, accountable for their role in the opioid crisis. The Sacklers are expected to contribute about $6.5 billion.
Purdue’s recent restructuring allows creditors to preserve their right to sue the Sacklers if they do not agree to the settlement’s terms. While this deal is viewed as a significant step toward providing relief for victims and funding overdose reversal drugs, some, like addiction recovery advocate Ryan Hampton, criticize it for offering insufficient compensation (around $850 million for direct victims) and feeling inadequate after years of legal battles.
The settlement needs court approval but is expected to gain acceptance following previous challenges that led to a Supreme Court decision overturning prior agreements with Purdue. If finalized, it will add to more than $50 billion paid out due to the opioid epidemic in the U.S.
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