Idaho and Washington are among states which are not agreeing to the tentative settlement other states have reached with Purdue Pharma over the company’s role in the opioid crisis.
Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden and Washington AG Bob Ferguson say their states will not be part of the agreement and will continue to pursue litigation against the company and its owners. A tentative settlement was announced Wednesday between the pharmaceutical company and about 2,000 local governments in roughly two dozen states.
Wasden says his office has been negotiating with Purdue, the manufacturer of OxyContin, but that Idaho would not sign on to the current agreement, adding the proposal is not in the Gem State’s best best interests.
Ferguson blasted the deal as being too little in terms of money being offered and not tough enough on the Sackler family that owns the company.
Both states filed their own suits against Purdue Pharma, accusing the company of engaging in one of the deadliest marketing campaigns in history. The states claim the company’s illegal conduct contributed to excessive prescriptions and addiction, while alleging Purdue made false claims of low addiction risk and about the safety and effectiveness of the drugs. The cases are similar to the ones filed by states, counties, and cities across the U.S.
The proposed settlement reportedly calls for breaking up the company, liquidating its assets, and paying up to $12 billion in damages. The Sackler family would have to pay about a quarter of that and give up control of the company.
Other states that said they were not a part of the agreement include Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. (Spokesman-Review, Boise State Public Radio News)
