Attorney General Todd Rokita has announced a $350 million national settlement with Publicis Health. This agreement addresses the company's involvement in the prescription opioid crisis. Indiana will receive over $7.6 million from this settlement to aid in combating the opioid crisis.
Publicis acknowledged the damage caused by its actions as part of the settlement. The funds will support communities affected by the crisis, providing financial assistance for treatment, recovery, infrastructure development, and saving lives.
The firm agreed to make public thousands of internal documents related to its work with opioid companies like Purdue Pharma. Additionally, it will cease accepting client work related to Schedule II narcotics, including opioids.
Attorney General Rokita commented on the case: “The deception by Publicis and big pharma in this case is astonishing, but it’s sadly what we continue to witness over and over again.”
Court documents reveal that Publicis played a role in marketing strategies for Purdue Pharma's opioid products such as OxyContin. These tactics included using data from patient-provider conversations and targeting providers through electronic health records.
Purdue Pharma's distribution of these drugs contributed significantly to increased opioid prescriptions nationwide, leading to higher rates of abuse and overdose deaths.
These issues have resulted in significant costs across healthcare, child welfare, and criminal justice systems. Attorney General Rokita emphasized the impact on families and communities due to addiction and overdose deaths.
Rokita has prioritized addressing the opioid crisis through legal action against pharmaceutical companies. Under his administration, opioid settlements have reached $925 million—a state record.
“Hoosiers have watched their friends and family members suffer and even die from drug abuse,” said Attorney General Rokita. “Far too many of these overdoses are directly related to misinformation spread by Publicis."
A consent judgment document is available for review along with a headshot of Attorney General Rokita.