Publicis Health reaches $350M settlement over role in the opioid crisis

Publicis Health reaches $350M settlement over role in the opioid crisis

Publicis Health agreed to pay $350 million Thursday afternoon as part of a multistate settlement regarding its role in the prescription opioid crisis.

The marketing and communications giant will distribute the $350 million to every state and U.S. territory affected by the opioid epidemic within the next 60 days so that it can be used for relief efforts.

In addition to the sizable financial aspect of the settlement, Publicis Health will also disclose thousands of internal documents detailing its work for opioid manufacturers, including Purdue Pharma, on a public website.

From 2010 to 2021, Publicis Health served as one of Purdue Pharma’s primary marketing firms for its opioid drugs, including OxyContin, which has often been cited as one of the primary drivers of the nationwide epidemic that caused millions to grapple with addiction and killed thousands over the past two decades.

Publicis Health will also stop accepting any client work related to opioid-based Schedule II or Schedule III controlled substances, per the settlement.

This story has been updated with commentary from Publicis Health.