Pennsylvania awards $15 million for national payments marketing firm's role in opioid epidemic

FILE – OxyContin pills line up in photo, February 19, 2013, at a pharmacy in Montpelier, Vermont. In an agreement disclosed late Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, consulting firm McKinsey & Company says its marketing efforts with Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, helped fuel the opioid addiction crisis. settle claims by insurance companies and health funds that (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)

(WJET/WFXP) – Pennsylvania is expected to receive more than $15 million as part of a state settlement with a marketing agency over the advertising practices of pharmaceutical companies such as Purdue Pharma, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michel said.・Henry announced.

AG Henry, Pennsylvania, announced on February 1 that it will receive $15.7 million as part of a $350 million settlement with Publicis Health that acknowledges harm caused through advertising of opioid products. It also announced the need to set up a public website to publish detailed internal documents. Collaboration with companies such as Purdue Pharma.

Publicis also agreed to stop accepting clients whose work involves opioid drugs and other Schedule II drugs.

“Publicis played a critical role in getting these deadly, addictive opioids into the hands and homes of Pennsylvanians. Purdue Pharma and others should fully reveal their addictive and other harmful effects. and helped sell and promote this drug,” AG Henry said.

Court documents also show how Publicis was the primary advertising agency for opioids such as Purdue Pharma's OxyContin, developed sales strategies based on data from conversations between patients and doctors, and used information in patients' electronic medical records. It also revealed that they played an important role in the choice to advertise to healthcare providers.

“This settlement will help communities heal and recover while ensuring that Publicis will no longer partner with manufacturers of opioid-based Schedule II drugs,” Henry continued.

The $15.7 million, along with funds from other domestic settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors, will be donated to the Pennsylvania Drug and Alcohol Program for opioid addiction recovery across the commonwealth.

AG Henry said these settlements are expected to bring an estimated $1 billion to Pennsylvania in the future.