Fletcher County signs onto opioid settlements; court authorizes pursuit of additional manufacturers

On Aug. 7, 2025, the Fletcher County Fiscal Court voted to authorize the county judge to sign a governmental‑entity settlement agreement tied to the national opioid litigation, commonly described in the meeting as the “Sackler release.” The court also voted to authorize participation in litigation efforts identifying additional manufacturer defendants. Jamie (staff member) told the court the Sackler families — historically associated with Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin — were contributing an additional $1.5 billion to the national settlement. The court voted to authorize the county judge to sign the governmental‑entity settlement agreement associated with that payment. Separately, the county’s National Consortium attorneys have identified nine additional defendants the consortium believes may bear liability and contribute to fund recovery; Jamie said the consortium estimates those defendants might yield about $1,300,000,000. The nine companies listed in the meeting were Allvigent, Amneal, Apotex (transcript said Aphex), Hikma, Indivior, Mylan, Sun Pharma, Xitis and Sandoz. The court voted to authorize the county’s participation in efforts to pursue those additional defendants. Judge Terry Adams was authorized by the court to sign the settlement paperwork; a motion to that effect passed by recorded voice vote. The court’s actions were procedural approvals to participate in the settlement and litigation process; no county appropriation for settlement funds was described in the discussion. The county’s attorney group will continue coordinating with the national consortium and will provide updates to the court as settlements or additional agreements are finalized.