BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Attorney General Raul Labrador has announced a National settlement with a marketing firm that aided in fueling the Opioid crisis to about $350 million. However, Idaho will only receive a fraction of that.
Of the estimated $350 million settlement with Publicis Health, the marketing and communication firm of record for Purdue Pharma, Idaho will receive $1.6 million.
According to a statement released by Attorney General Raul Labrador's Office, the terms of the settlement with Publicis require the marketing firm to publicly disclose thousands of internal documents detailing its work for opioid companies like Purdue Pharma, and it will stop accepting client work related to opioid-based narcotics.
According to settlement records, Publicis' work contributed to the crisis by helping Purdue Pharma and other opioid manufacturers market and sell opioids. The marketing firm also developed sales tactics that relied on farming data from recordings of personal health-related conversations while in a doctor's office. The company was also "instrumental in Purdue's decision to market OxyContin to providers on patient's electronic health records."
According to the Governor's office, more than 934 Idahoans have died from prescription opioid overdose between 2018 and 2022. The opioid crisis in Idaho alone has cost thousands of lives, countless amounts of money and many hours in battling and treating the effects of opioid addiction.
The nationwide settlement includes all states, territories, and the District of Columbia.
CBS2 has contacted the Attorney General's office to ask why Idaho receives a fraction of the total settlement and what that money will be used for. A response was not received before publication. If one is received, it will be updated here.
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