Purdue Pharma Reaches Deal With Thousands of Opioid Cases

The Primary: The pharmaceutical company Purdue Pharma said in a statement that they have tentatively reached a settlement with the thousands of pending cases against them regarding their part in the opioid epidemic.

• Who? What? Why?: The settlement means the company and its owners, the Sackler family, will pay out over $3 billion in seven years and the amount will reportedly bankrupt the company.

• The Baseline: However, many states did not agree to settle and will continue pursuing legal action. The Attorney General of Connecticut, for example, said, “Our position remains firm and unchanged and nothing for us has changed today.”