A bipartisan coalition of states, including Tennessee, has reached a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma, Inc. and the Sackler family, who played a significant role in the opioid crisis through the development and marketing of opioid products. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced that the settlement, the largest of its kind, will provide funding to communities over 15 years for opioid addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery initiatives.
The settlement marks the end of the Sackler family’s control over Purdue Pharma and prohibits them from selling opioids in the United States. The funds will be distributed to states, local governments, and other parties affected by the opioid epidemic. Tennessee anticipates receiving over $90 million from this settlement.
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The agreement follows the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn a previous settlement in June 2024, which had offered the Sackler family protection from further liability. The new settlement, which includes contributions from Sackler family members and their associated entities, does not grant such protections.
Involved in securing this settlement are the attorneys general from Tennessee, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
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US Attorney’s Office Recovers $137 Million
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee announced the recovery of over $137 million in Fiscal Year 2024, largely from civil cases related to fraud, with significant amounts collected under the False Claims Act and penalties from the Controlled Substances Act.