McKinsey to Pay $125M in Purdue Bankruptcy Settlement

Consulting firm resolves claims over opioid sales advice to bankrupt drugmaker.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 7:40pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life featuring a stack of legal documents, a pen, and a calculator on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the financial and legal implications of the opioid crisis settlement.The $125 million settlement between McKinsey and Purdue Pharma represents a significant financial reckoning for the consulting firm's role in the opioid crisis.NYC Today

Consulting firm McKinsey & Co. has agreed to contribute $125 million to Purdue Pharma's bankruptcy settlement, resolving potential legal claims over advice it provided to Purdue on how to boost sales of its addictive opioid painkillers.

Why it matters

The settlement is part of the ongoing fallout from the opioid crisis, which has devastated communities across the United States. McKinsey's role in advising Purdue on marketing tactics has drawn intense scrutiny, and this payout represents an acknowledgment of the firm's culpability in the tragedy.

The details

According to court filings, McKinsey advised Purdue on ways to 'turbocharge' sales of its OxyContin painkiller, even as the opioid epidemic was spiraling. The consulting firm's recommendations allegedly included targeting high-volume opioid prescribers and using data-driven tactics to increase sales.

  • The settlement was announced on April 9, 2026.

The players

McKinsey & Co.

A global management consulting firm that provided advice to Purdue Pharma on marketing its OxyContin painkiller.

Purdue Pharma

The bankrupt pharmaceutical company that manufactured the highly addictive opioid painkiller OxyContin.

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What they’re saying

“This resolution with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family is a necessary step for our firm to move forward. The opioid crisis will always be a source of profound regret for our firm.”

— Kevin Sneader, Global Managing Partner, McKinsey & Co.

The takeaway

The McKinsey settlement is the latest development in the ongoing legal reckoning over the opioid crisis, underscoring the culpability of major players beyond just the pharmaceutical companies that manufactured the drugs. It serves as a reminder of the devastating human toll of the epidemic and the need for continued accountability.