Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that a bipartisan coalition of states and other parties have reached a $7.4 billion settlement, in principle, with members of the Sackler family and their company Purdue Pharma, Inc., for their role in fueling an opioid crisis that continues to devastate families and communities across Pennsylvania.
The settlement is subject to court approval, and preliminary figures indicate Pennsylvania will receive up to $212 million from the settlement, with payouts happening over the next 15 years.
“No dollar amount could ever replace what has been lost due to the opioid epidemic, but this settlement will go a long way in bolstering treatment resources and helping Pennsylvanians achieve recovery,” Attorney General Sunday said. “This epidemic, no doubt, was fueled by Purdue Pharma’s manufacturing and deceptive marketing of OxyContin, a highly potent and addictive drug. Dependency on the drug ruined countless lives, while the Sackler family and Purdue made more than $35 billion from its distribution, profiting off of the suffering of others.”
If approved, the settlement will deliver funds to the participating states, local governments - including Newtown Township - affected individuals, and other parties who have previously sued the Sacklers or Purdue.
A significant amount of the settlement funds will be distributed in the first three years, with the Sacklers paying $1.5 billion and Purdue paying nearly $900 million in the first payment, followed by $500 million after one year, an additional $500 million after two years, and $400 million after three years.
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At the December 12, 2018, public meeting, the Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) voted 4 to 1 (Kyle Davis voted no, I and my 3 fellow Democrats vote yes) to authorize Mark J Bern Partners, LLP. and Cordisco & Saile, LLC, to file a lawsuit against the manufacturers, promoters, and distributors of synthetic prescription Opioid medication on behalf of Newtown Township (read "Newtown Township Joins Suit Against Opioid Manufacturers and Distributors"; https://www.johnmacknewtown.info/blog/?viewDetailed=201812141053).
"As this settlement in principle evolves further and more details emerge and are received, we will provide you with updates," said Newtown's attorneys.
I am not sure what the funds can be used for, but it is my hope that any funds we receive are used to support opioid anti-addiction programs and implement educational programs for the general public and students.
Further Reading: