Attorney General Alan Wilson announces $7.4 Billion settlement against Purdue Pharma, Sackler Family for fueling Opioid Crisis

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson today announced a major legal victory in the fight to hold those responsible for the opioid crisis accountable. A bipartisan coalition of attorneys general has reached a $7.4 billion settlement in principle with members of the Sackler family and their company, Purdue Pharma, Inc., for their role in creating and driving one of the most devastating public health crises in American history.

“South Carolina will stop at nothing to protect its citizens and deliver justice to those who have been harmed. I have fought for years to ensure Purdue and the Sacklers face real accountability, and we will continue to pursue every avenue to stand up for the people of this state,” said Attorney General Wilson. “The Sackler family knowingly drove an epidemic that shattered families and took thousands of lives. This settlement sends a powerful and unmistakable message: if you profit from the suffering and death of South Carolinians, we will hold you accountable, no matter how powerful you are.”

Purdue, under the Sacklers’ leadership, invented, manufactured, and aggressively marketed opioid products for decades, fueling waves of addiction and overdose deaths across the country. Their actions led to widespread addiction, suffering, and death in communities across the country including in South Carolina.

The settlement permanently removes the Sacklers from control of Purdue and prohibits them from ever selling opioids in the United States again. South Carolina is expected to receive approximately $72.8 million over the next 15 years as part of this landmark settlement. Funding will go directly to communities across the country to support opioid addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery programs.

South Carolina joins a coalition of attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.