Rhode Island gets about $2.6M in national opioid settlement

Attorney General Peter Neronha spoke with reporters in his office February 6, 2020. File photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island is getting nearly $2.6 million as part of a multistate settlement with McKinsey & Company for its role in consulting with businesses on how to sell more prescription opioid painkillers amid the overdose crisis.

Attorney General Peter Neronha said Thursday the total amount of the settlement is $573 million and Rhode Island’s portion will be used to address the impact of the opioid epidemic through treatment, rescue, recovery and prevention programs.

Court papers show McKinsey worked with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma to boost opioid sales even as the epidemic worsened. A McKinsey executive apologized.