Fifteen states have reached a deal with Purdue Pharma, maker of OxyContin, paving the way toward a $4.5 billion settlement of thousands of opioid cases.
In exchange for the release of 33 million documents and an additional $50 million from members of the company’s owners, the Sackler family, the states decided Wednesday to drop their opposition to Purdue’s bankruptcy reorganization plan, according to the New York Times.
Additionally, $225 million will go towards a civil settlement with the Justice Department.
The settlement extracts concessions that will be added to a proposal being voted on by more than 3,000 plaintiffs, including cities, counties, tribes and states who fought to hold Purdue and its owners accountable for their role in the opioid crisis.
According to a spokesperson, two branches of the Sackler family noted that the settlement included no findings of liability.
“This resolution to the mediation is an important step toward providing substantial resources for people and communities in need. The Sackler family hopes these funds will help achieve that goal,” they said in a statement.
