Missouri – A long-running legal fight over the opioid crisis has reached a new turning point, as a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family has officially become effective, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced.
The agreement closes a major chapter in nearly a decade of investigations, lawsuits, bankruptcy battles, and negotiations led by attorneys general across the country. Their work began with a multistate investigation into Purdue in 2016, followed by Missouri’s lawsuit against the company in 2017.
At the center of the case was Purdue’s production and aggressive marketing of opioids in the United States, conduct that state officials say helped fuel the largest drug crisis in the nation’s history.
“For too long, parents, children, and communities across our state have borne the heartbreaking costs of the opioid epidemic. Purdue Pharma’s actions have harmed countless consumers, and this settlement brings accountability and a measure of justice for the victims of this devastating crisis,” said Attorney General Hanaway.
“My office will continue to work to protect consumers and advocate for the well-being of Missouri families.”
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The settlement comes after years of legal complications. Purdue filed for bankruptcy in September 2019 while facing massive litigation. Attorneys general then took a leading role in the bankruptcy proceedings, later negotiating a new agreement that secured additional money from the Sacklers after the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2024 rejected parts of a previous settlement.
Now legally effective, the agreement will send money to communities nationwide, as well as individual victims and other groups that filed claims during the bankruptcy process. Missouri is expected to receive $91,333,005.76.
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Valerie Huhn, Director of the Missouri Department of Mental Health, said the money will play an important role in the state’s response.
“The opioid epidemic has taken an enormous toll on the citizens and communities of Missouri,” said Valerie Huhn, Director of the Missouri Department of Mental Health.
“These settlement dollars directed to state and local governments are extremely important to support the public health responses like expanded treatment and prevention programs.”
Most of the settlement money will be distributed in the first three years. The Sacklers are paying more than $1.5 billion immediately, followed by about $500 million in May 2027, another $500 million in May 2028, and $400 million in May 2029. Purdue is also paying about $900 million immediately.
The deal permanently bars the Sacklers from selling opioids in the U.S. and requires Purdue and the Sacklers to make public more than 30 million documents tied to their opioid business.
Purdue’s manufacturing operations have now transferred to Knoa Pharma LLC, which will be overseen by a board with no connection to Purdue. Knoa will be prevented from marketing opioids, and an independent monitor will oversee its operations to reduce the risk of diversion.
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Missouri’s participation was coordinated by Assistant Attorney General Rebecca Pinto and Paralegal Linda Ruegge.
