Dinwiddie approves manufacturer and Purdue/Sackler opioid settlements

The Dinwiddie County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 19 approved two settlement actions tied to litigation over opioid-related harms.

Outside counsel Tyler Seidl explained that the county is eligible to receive money from settlements with multiple manufacturers — Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikma, Indivior, Mylan, Sun, and Zydus — and that payments will be distributed over time. "The settlement will also make money available through the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority," Seidl told the board, noting that the county participates in the authority’s Gold Standard Program and that funds must be used for opioid mitigation. Staff estimated Dinwiddie’s direct share from the manufacturers’ group could be “up to about $12,000” depending on participation and timing.

Seidl also briefed supervisors on a separate package tied to Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family. As part of a bankruptcy resolution, the Sackler family has proposed a multi‑billion‑dollar payment; depending on participation nationally and state mechanisms, Dinwiddie’s direct share of the Purdue/Sackler resolution could be in the tens of thousands — Seidl estimated “up to something like $77,812” as a possible figure but cautioned the number is not set in stone.

The board voted to accept the manufacturer settlement and to approve the Purdue bankruptcy plan and the Sackler settlement, following counsel’s recommendation. Seidl emphasized that county funds must be earmarked and accounted for in accordance with Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority rules and the county’s financial procedures. "So that's correct," he said when asked about separating the dollars for opioid mitigation.