Fact Check: All 50 states, Washington D.C., and four U.S. territories have agreed to a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma to resolve opioid litigation.

Fact Check: "All 50 states, Washington D.C., and four U.S. territories have agreed to a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma to resolve opioid litigation."

What We Know

All 50 states, along with Washington D.C. and four U.S. territories, have indeed reached an agreement on a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma. This settlement addresses the company's role in the opioid crisis, particularly its improper marketing of opioids like OxyContin. The agreement was finalized after extensive negotiations involving state attorneys general and other stakeholders, and it was filed with a federal bankruptcy court in March 2025 (NPR).

The settlement includes a significant contribution from the Sackler family, who own Purdue Pharma, amounting to approximately $6.5 billion. The funds are intended to support communities affected by the opioid crisis over a period of 15 years (Michigan.gov). Attorney General Letitia James of New York emphasized that this settlement aims to hold the Sackler family accountable for their actions that contributed to the opioid epidemic (NPR).

Analysis

The claim that all 50 states, Washington D.C., and four U.S. territories have agreed to the settlement is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The agreement has been confirmed by various state attorneys general, including Michigan's Attorney General Dana Nessel, who stated that all 55 eligible jurisdictions have signed on to the settlement (Michigan.gov). This is further supported by reports from other states' attorneys general, including Pennsylvania and California, who have also announced their participation in the settlement (Pennsylvania Attorney General, California Attorney General).

The reliability of these sources is high, as they come from official state government communications and reputable news outlets like NPR and AP News. The involvement of all 50 states and territories in the settlement indicates a broad consensus among state officials regarding the need for accountability and compensation related to the opioid crisis. However, some critics, such as addiction recovery advocate Ryan Hampton, have expressed dissatisfaction with the settlement's provisions for direct victim compensation, indicating that while the settlement is historic, it may not fully address the needs of those directly affected by the opioid epidemic (NPR).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that all 50 states, Washington D.C., and four U.S. territories have agreed to a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma is accurate. This agreement has been confirmed by multiple authoritative sources, including state attorneys general and major news outlets. The settlement represents a significant step in addressing the opioid crisis, although some stakeholders have raised concerns about the adequacy of victim compensation.

Sources

1. Purdue Pharma, Sacklers reach new $7.4 billion opioid settlement - NPR
2. AG Nessel Signs On to $7.4 Billion Purdue Pharma Settlement - Michigan.gov
3. AG Sunday Announces Historic Settlement with Purdue Pharma and Sackler - Pennsylvania Attorney General
4. Attorney General Bonta Signs On to $7.4 Billion Purdue - California Attorney General
5. Purdue Pharma, Sackler family members reach new opioid settlement - AP News
6. States agree to $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma in opioid - AOL
7. All states, territories agree to $7.4B Purdue Pharma opioid - NewsNation
8. All states, territories agree to $7.4B Purdue Pharma opioid settlement - The Hill