OxyContin marketer, opioid maker announce settlements totaling $500 million

By GEOFF MULVIHILL
Associated Press

A company that helped develop marketing campaigns for OxyContin and other opioids has agreed to a $350 million settlement with U.S. states over the toll of the powerful prescription painkillers. New York Attorney General Letitia James said Thursday that Publicis Health engaged in predatory and deceptive marketing strategies to help Purdue Pharma increase sales of its drugs. It is the first ad agency with a major settlement over opioids in the United States. Also Thursday, the drugmaker Hikma announced a settlement of opioid claims with several states. Both companies say the settlements are not admissions of wrongdoing.