Opioid crisis settlement to bring $57 million to Utah

orange and white medication pill Photo: Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya

Between 2014 and 2019, prescription opioids contributed to 1,611 deaths in Utah, according to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Utah is poised to receive $57 million as part of a tentative $7.4 billion national settlement to address the opioid crisis, announced by the Office of the Utah Attorney General (OAG) and the Department of Commerce’s Division of Consumer Protection (DCP). The agreement, involving the Sackler family and their former company, Purdue Pharma, seeks to mitigate the devastating effects of opioids on communities across the United States.

Under the proposed settlement, the Sacklers will pay $6.5 billion over 15 years, with an additional $900 million from Purdue Pharma once it exits bankruptcy protection. As part of the deal, the Sacklers will lose control of Purdue Pharma and be barred from selling opioids in the U.S. Purdue Pharma’s marketing and lobbying practices will also face stringent monitoring.

“This settlement will not bring back those we’ve lost, but it will provide critical resources to help those struggling with addiction and prevent future tragedies,” said Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox. “We are committed to using these funds to support treatment, prevention, and education efforts.”

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Utah Attorney General Derek Brown indicated the state’s intention to join the settlement after a final review. “Too many Utahns have been harmed by the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma’s disregard for human life,” Brown said. “We have worked tirelessly to ensure justice for Utah families and will continue to fight against the scourge of opioids and fentanyl in our communities.”

The settlement builds on Utah’s previous efforts to address the opioid epidemic, with $540 million already secured from earlier agreements. These funds are being allocated between state and county programs to support the Utah Opioid Task Force and other initiatives. Between 2014 and 2019, prescription opioids contributed to 1,611 deaths in Utah, according to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner. Recent data from 2023 revealed that 27.9% of drug overdose deaths in the state involved prescription opioids.

Margaret Woolley Busse, executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce, emphasized the importance of accountability. “Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family caused immense harm through their deceptive marketing and greed,” she said. “We never stopped working to hold them accountable for the devastation they caused.”

The OAG and DCP have been instrumental in pursuing litigation against opioid manufacturers, distributors, and other parties. Past settlements include agreements with Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, and Johnson & Johnson, among others. The most recent lawsuit, filed in December 2024, targets pharmacy benefit managers for their role in the crisis.

Utah’s portion of the settlement is expected to fund treatment, prevention, and educational programs to combat addiction and provide resources for affected families and communities.