Purdue Pharma, Sacklers to pay $7.4bn in new opioid settlement
Al JazeeraJAN 28
Sacklers, Purdue Pharma Agree to $7.4B Opioid Crisis Settlement
Above: The prescription medicine OxyContin on display on Aug. 21, 2001. Image copyright: Darren McCollester/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The settlement represents a significant victory for accountability in the opioid crisis, forcing the Sacklers to pay their highest amount yet and relinquish control of their company. The deal ensures billions will go directly to communities devastated by the crisis while maintaining victims' rights to pursue additional legal action if they choose not to participate in the settlement.
Narrative B
The Sackler family has consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintains that the legal theory of "public nuisance" underlying the lawsuits is devoid of merit. Much of the family's wealth remains in offshore accounts beyond the reach of lawsuits, and they have pledged to vigorously defend themselves against any future litigation.