A public relations agency that worked with Purdue Pharmaceutical to promote the use of oxycontin and other opioids agreed to pay a $350 million fine to settle a lawsuit brought by the Attorneys General from all US states and territories as well as the District of Columbia.
Publicis Heath will make the payment in the second quarter of 2024, and the money will be applied to state-run drug treatment and patient assistance programs. Separately, Massachusetts announced a separate $150 million settlement of a different opioid case brought by states against Hikma, a manufacturer of generic opioids. The Hikma settlement will include $35 million in opioid addition medications.
“No settlement can bring back the lives lost or reverse the devastating pain caused by the opioid crisis. At the California Department of Justice, we are committed to holding accountable those who fueled this crisis through their greed and willful misconduct,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. “Today’s settlement with Publicis builds on that commitment in our continued fight for justice and relief for Californians. I am proud of the work put in by my team and by our partners across the nation in making this settlement possible.”