McKinsey & Company has reached a $573 million settlement with nearly 50 state governments as well as the District of Columbia and territories, over its role in helping to market and boost sales of high-risk opioids including OxyContin.
Most of the funds will be devoted to paying for treatment and rehabilitation programs in communities devastated by the addiction crisis. As part of the settlement, McKinsey admits to no wrongdoing.
This deal heads off civil lawsuits threatened by state attorneys general.
"Today's agreement sets a new standard for accountability in one of the most devastating crises of our time," said Massachusetts attorney general Maura Healey, in a statement emailed to NPR. "As a result, our communities will receive substantial resources for treatment, prevention, and recovery services."
