
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recently locked in a hefty $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family for their significant role in the opioid crisis ravaging the country, according to a publication from the Texas Attorney General's office. The landmark figure stands as the largest settlement to date against individuals pinned for exacerbating the opioid epidemic.
Purdue, the creators of OxyContin among other opioid products, is said to have aggressively pushed their medications leading to widespread addiction and overdose fatalities. Paxton has been at the forefront of holding such corporations to account, drawing in over $3 billion in settlements from various companies, including giants like Johnson & Johnson and Walmart. "For years, I have aggressively worked to hold Purdue Pharma and other corporations accountable for their roles in creating and exacerbating the deadly opioid crisis that harmed so many Americans," Paxton stated in the release. The settlement is projected to directly fund opioid addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery efforts over a span of 15 years.
Touted by Paxton as a victory for the public, the settlement earmarks valuable resources supposedly destined to curb further opioid misuse. This agreement follows the Supreme Court's June 2024 decision that overturned an earlier settlement with Purdue and the Sacklers. The fallout of that decision set the stage for this recent agreement, which ensures the Sackler's relinquish control of Purdue Pharma, and in turn, their capacity to sell opioids within the U.S.
Joining Texas in this bipartisan agreement, are the attorneys general from a roster of states including California, Colorado, and New York. Each has united under the common cause of mending the fabric of communities torn by the opioid plague, "While nothing can restore the damage done, this settlement will provide Texans valuable resources to help prevent more opioid abuse," Paxton emphasized, assuring his continued commitment to pursuing justice for those impacted by the crisis.