Settlement will establish national center for addiction studies and treatment in Tulsa;
Sackler family announces voluntary contribution to support national center
STAMFORD, Conn., March 26, 2019 — Purdue Pharma L.P. today announced that it has entered into a landmark agreement with the state of Oklahoma that will establish a National Center for Addiction Studies and Treatment at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Tulsa.
The National Center will be housed at OSU’s Center for Wellness and Recovery and its mission will be to improve the lives of people in Oklahoma and across the country that are affected by pain and substance use disorders through programs focused on research, education, treatment, and public policy initiatives. The Center’s vision is to become the premier addiction research center in the country.
“Purdue is very pleased to have reached an agreement with Oklahoma that will help those who are battling addiction now and in the future,” said Craig Landau, MD, president and CEO, Purdue Pharma. “We applaud Attorney General Mike Hunter for his leadership in making such an agreement possible.”
The Center will be supported by a National Scientific Advisory Board, made up of leading experts from academia, medicine, law enforcement, and treatment who will work closely with the Center’s staff to support its work and guide its various initiatives. The members of this Advisory board will be selected by the Center.
“Purdue has a long history of working to address the problem of prescription opioid abuse and diversion,” said Dr. Landau. “We see this agreement with Oklahoma as an extension of our commitment to help drive solutions to the opioid addiction crisis, and we pledge Purdue’s ongoing support to the National Center and the life-saving work it will do for generations to come.”
Purdue will contribute $102.5 million to fund the creation of the National Center. The Company will also donate $20 million worth of medicines to support the Center’s treatment mission.
The Company’s agreement with Oklahoma – which resolves all of the state’s claims against Purdue —also includes an additional Company payment of $72.5 million, of which $12.5 million will be available to counties and cities in the state to abate the effects of opioid crisis, up to $60 million for costs and fees related to the litigation, and any remainder will revert to the Center.
In addition to support from Purdue Pharma, the Sackler Family has pledged to contribute $75 million over five years to the National Center at OSU.
A spokesperson for the Drs. Mortimer and Raymond Sackler families said: “We have profound compassion for those who are affected by addiction. The National Center will provide immediate assistance to Oklahomans and individuals nationwide who need these services, and our support is in keeping with our family’s continuing commitment to making meaningful contributions to solutions that save lives.”
