The State of Texas has secured a $286.6 million settlement from Purdue Pharma, a key pharmaceutical company long accused of driving the opioid epidemic. This brings Texas' total haul from opioid-related litigation to nearly $3.3 billion — part of a broader national legal reckoning with Big Pharma’s role in fueling the crisis.
The settlement comes as part of a $7.4 billion nationwide agreement involving Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family. The lawsuit, which included attorneys general from all 55 eligible U.S. states and territories, aimed to hold Purdue accountable for its aggressive marketing of opioid medications, particularly OxyContin — a drug once pitched as a less addictive solution to chronic pain but which later became a symbol of America’s addiction crisis.
"This $7.4 billion settlement is a major victory in our ongoing fight to ensure Big Pharma pays for the damage it caused and to bring justice to the people of Texas," said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a statement released June 23. "No person or company, no matter how powerful, is above the law."
A Long Battle Against Purdue Pharma
The recent deal follows years of legal challenges. In 2019, Purdue Pharma filed for bankruptcy in the face of mounting lawsuits. Initially, a controversial settlement would have shielded the Sackler family from future civil lawsuits. However, in October 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned that bankruptcy agreement, reopening the door for states like Texas to pursue additional claims.
The Texas Office of the Attorney General accused Purdue of falsely advertising OxyContin as a safer and less addictive option, leading to widespread misuse. Purdue later pleaded guilty to federal misbranding charges, nearly two decades after it began distributing the drug.
“Under the Sacklers’ ownership, Purdue made and aggressively marketed opioid products for decades, fueling the largest drug crisis in the nation’s history,” the Attorney General’s Office stated. The terms of the new settlement permanently end the Sacklers' control over Purdue and prohibit them from selling opioids in the United States.
Billions Recovered — But at What Cost?
Texas is one of several states that has pursued pharmaceutical companies and distributors over the opioid crisis. In April 2021, the state secured $290 million from Johnson & Johnson. Later, it added another $1.2 billion from major drug distribution companies through a coordinated global lawsuit.
In total, Texas has now recouped nearly $3.3 billion — funds that officials say will be directed toward addiction treatment, education, prevention programs, and community recovery efforts. But advocates note that no amount of money can undo the damage caused by the epidemic, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives nationwide.
A Nationwide Reckoning
The national $7.4 billion Purdue settlement will be divided among all participating states and territories, with each receiving funds based on population, impact, and need. Many state leaders say the funds are not just a financial win, but a recognition of the lives lost and communities shattered.
