The health-care division of French ad giant Publicis agreed to pay $350 million to settle claims that its past marketing efforts for drugmakers helped fuel America's opioid crisis, U.S. state attorneys general announced Thursday.
Publicis Health said it will distribute $343 million of its total charge among all 50 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and five U.S. territories.
"The full settlement amount should quickly and directly contribute to the States' opioid relief effort," Publicis Health said in a statement.
"The fight against the opioid crisis in the United States requires collaboration across industries, lawmakers, and communities, and we are committed to playing our part," the statement said.
Publicis Health noted that $130 million of its payment to the states has been compensated by its insurers.
Organizations:
Publicis Groupe SA, Health, D.C
Locations:
Paris, France, U.S, Washington, United States