Purdue Pharma, US states agree to new opioid settlement

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma reached a settlement Thursday over its role in the opioid crisis that includes virtually all U.S. states and thousands of local governments, with the Sackler family members who own the company boosting their cash contribution to as much as $6 billion.

The deal follows an earlier settlement that had been appealed by eight states and the District of Columbia. They agreed to sign on after the Sacklers kicked in more cash — including a portion that just those jurisdictions would control — and accepted other terms. In exchange, the family would be protected from civil lawsuits.