Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced today a groundbreaking $350 million national settlement with Publicis Health, concluding investigations into the global marketing and communications firm's involvement in the prescription opioid crisis according to a news release.

.As part of the resolution, Alabama will receive nearly $5.5 million to aid in addressing the ongoing opioid epidemic.

Publicis Health acknowledged the detrimental impact of its actions, agreeing to disclose thousands of internal documents on a public website detailing its work with opioid companies, such as Purdue Pharma. The firm committed to cease accepting client work associated with opioid-based Schedule II or other Schedule III controlled substances.

"Alabama remains unwavering in our multifaceted effort to hold all contributors – manufacturing, distribution, prescription, or marketing—for their part in the opioid epidemic. Publicis played a pivotal role in promoting these drugs, contributing to overprescribing, fostering addiction, and tragically resulting in numerous lives lost,” Attorney General Marshall said in the release. “Our commitment to ending this epidemic knows no bounds, and we will relentlessly pursue justice to restore Alabama from the profound societal impact caused by the collective actions of the opioid industry and its associates.”

In documents filed today in the Montgomery County Circuit Court, the prosecution outlined Publicis's contribution to the crisis by aiding Purdue Pharma and other opioid manufacturers in marketing and selling opioids. The documents revealed Publicis's role as Purdue's agency of record for all branded opioid drugs, including OxyContin, and its development of sales tactics utilizing data from personal health-related in-office conversations between patients and providers.

Over the past two decades, thousands of Alabamians have succumbed to prescription opioid overdoses, imposing significant costs on the state's health care, child welfare and criminal justice systems. Beyond financial implications, opioid addiction has torn families apart, damaged relationships, and devastated communities.

Today's filing represents the latest effort by Attorney General Marshall to combat the opioid crisis and hold accountable those responsible. Alabama has previously reached settlements exceeding $500 million with drug manufacturers, with funds allocated to the State and local governments, including public hospitals and county health departments. Strict guidelines mandate the expenditure of settlement funds to abate the opioid crisis in Alabama.

Colorado spearheaded the multistate investigation, with an executive committee comprising attorneys general from California, Connecticut, Idaho, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee and Vermont. Attorneys general from all states, territories, and the District of Columbia are united in addressing the pervasive opioid crisis.

In November 2023, Attorney General Marshall cautioned local leaders about the importance of implementing long-term strategies and warned against non-approved allocations of settlement dollars, emphasizing potential repercussions for the State's future payments from opioid defendants.