Photo: Ford, Brad
Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum today announced a major settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family that will deliver up to $6 billion nationally for their role in the opioid epidemic. Oregon will receive up to $97 million in the settlement, all of which will be used for opioid treatment and prevention. On Friday, the historic $26 billion opioid agreement against the three largest distributors of opioids (McKesson, AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal Health) and drug manufacturer Johnson & Johnson was also approved, with Oregon and its cities and counties to receive approximately $329 million from the settlement. Oregon was part of the lead group of attorneys general negotiating both settlements.
Oregon’s break-down of the Purdue Pharma settlement includes: $34 million from today’s settlement, $56 million from the original bankruptcy plan, and up to an additional $7 million depending upon the sale of certain assets. Oregon will receive the first settlement payment starting this year.
“Purdue Pharma’s original bankruptcy plan failed to achieve justice for the millions of Americans who have been victims of the Sackler’s greed. This family-owned company profited handsomely for decades while their conduct continued to lead to addiction and death of millions, including thousands of Oregonians,” said Attorney General Rosenblum. “While these tragedies can never be undone, today’s settlement—which still needs court approval—is a vast improvement and results in significant benefit to all the country. Oregon has been at the negotiating table every step of the way, and I am especially grateful to Sr. Assistant Attorney General David Hart who has spent countless hours at the negotiating table—right up to this morning!”
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson says that Washington will receive an additional $113 million from the settlement.
By challenging the original bankruptcy plan, Ferguson and eight other attorneys general won an additional $1.175 billion from the Sacklers to help states, cities and tribes address the harms of the opioid epidemic. Washington’s share will more than double as a result of Ferguson challenging to the bankruptcy plan —from $70 million under the original plan to $183 million. This money must be used to tackle the opioid crisis and help Washington’s recovery, a requirement that Ferguson has always insisted upon.