New Purdue opioid crisis settlement builds ‘momentum’ for Canada: B.C. AG

A U.S. settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family came days after a B.C.-led lawsuit against McKinsey for its alleged role in Canada's opioid crisis was certified.

Recent settlements in U.S. government lawsuits against opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma and the firm that allegedly consulted on boosting its sales have B.C.’s attorney general feeling “heartened” as she pursues similar lawsuits in Canada.

Monday saw 55 U.S. states and territories reach a US$7.5-billion settlement with Purdue, the maker of OxyContin, and members of the Sackler family that sought to hold them accountable for contributing to the opioid overdose crisis.

As part of the settlement, the Sacklers will give up their control of the bankrupt company and will be barred from selling prescription opioids in the future.

A federal judge said Wednesday that he will rule Friday on a plan for local governments and individual victims, who would also be entitled to compensation, to vote on approving the settlement by September, allowing it to proceed.

The announcement of the U.S. settlement came after the B.C. Supreme Court on Friday certified a class-action lawsuit by the province against McKinsey & Company, which is accused of advising Purdue and other drugmakers on how to market their opioid products in Canada.

McKinsey has already had to pay over US$1 billion in penalties to settle similar lawsuits in the U.S., which also led to jail time for a McKinsey executive.

“I’m really pleased with the momentum,” B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma told Global News in an interview.

“My job as attorney general is to make sure we pursue it very aggressively and as quickly as we can, so I am heartened by the success in the States and will keep on leading the charge here in Canada.”