Healthcare marketing company settles for $1.53 million in opioid case

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A $1.5 million settlement was reached on behalf of Rhode Islanders affected by a marketing company’s role in the opioid crisis.

Publicis Health will be paying a total of $350 million in the settlement on a national level.

The settlement money will go toward Rhode Island’s Statewide Opioid Abatement Fund, which is used to address the effects of opioids throughout the state.

“Publicis Health used deceptive tactics to market dangerous narcotics to the masses,” said Attorney General Peter F. Neronha.

“And while no amount of money will ever be enough to undo the harm caused to Rhode Islanders and their families, through all of these settlements, we can continue to fund desperately needed resources for treatment, prevention, and recovery efforts.”