Purdue Pharma, Sackler family to settle U.S. opioid lawsuits for US$7.4B
Global NewsMonday, June 16, 2025 at 4:29:31 PM
Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family have agreed to pay a staggering $7.4 billion to settle lawsuits across 55 U.S. states and territories. The lawsuits accused the company of fueling the opioid epidemic through its aggressive marketing of OxyContin, a powerful painkiller linked to widespread addiction. While the settlement aims to provide some financial relief for communities devastated by the crisis, critics argue it lets the Sacklers off too lightly—they won’t admit wrongdoing and are shielded from future civil claims.
Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about the money—it’s a reckoning for one of the most infamous chapters in America’s opioid crisis. Purdue Pharma’s role in pushing OxyContin while downplaying its risks has left lasting scars, and this settlement is a partial attempt to address that harm. But with the Sacklers avoiding personal liability, it raises tough questions about whether justice is being served or if corporations can still buy their way out of accountability. For communities grappling with addiction, the funds might help, but the emotional and societal costs run much deeper.
— Curated via WP Now’s
