McKinsey & Co. Agrees to Pay $650 Million in Opioid Crisis Settlement

On Friday, consulting giant McKinsey & Co. consented to a $650 million settlement to resolve federal charges concerning its involvement in the U.S. opioid crisis. The firm was implicated in a conspiracy to deceive the government, alongside Purdue Pharma L.P., by misrepresenting painkillers such as OxyContin. This settlement marks a significant step towards holding corporations accountable for their roles in the ongoing public health crisis.

The Strategy to Boost OxyContin Sales

According to court documents, McKinsey was involved in a strategy to identify prescribers most likely to increase prescriptions if contacted by Purdue Pharma's sales force. As part of the settlement agreement, McKinsey has committed to no longer participating in the marketing or sale of controlled substances, reflecting a broader industry shift towards stricter regulations and greater transparency.