"Opioid Marketing Settlements Reach $500 Million with Publicis Health and Hikma"

Publicis, a French marketing company, has agreed to pay $350 million in the first-ever opioid marketing settlement, accused of falsely marketing opioids as safe while working on Purdue Pharma’s OxyContin account. The settlement, led by New York and Colorado Attorney Generals, prohibits Publicis from taking on any more opioid clients. Publicis collaborated with consultancy McKinsey to develop Purdue’s "Evolve to Excellence" campaign, which falsely advertised OxyContin to doctors, contributing to the opioid crisis. The company denied wrongdoing but hopes the payment will help combat opioid addiction, while also reaffirming its decision to turn down any future opioid-related projects.