The company stopped opioid-related work in 2019. In testimony in April 2022 to a U.S. House committee, Bob Sternfels, global managing partner for McKinsey, said the firm's "work for Purdue was focused on legitimate prescribers and an abuse deterrent formulation."

"Nevertheless, we have recognized and publicly expressed that we did not adequately acknowledge the unfolding epidemic, and that our work fell short of our standards," Sternfels said in a statement to the committee. "As a result, in 2019, we decided to end all work on opioid-specific business globally, and we have committed to being part of the solution to this serious challenge. As part of that commitment, in early 2021, we proactively engaged with state attorneys general across the country to reach a settlement that provides more than $600 million to prevention, treatment and recovery efforts across the country. Rather than litigating with the states, we worked with the attorneys general to provide critical support to hard-hit communities nationwide."

The new Florida lawsuits make a series of allegations, including racketeering, unjust enrichment and creating a public nuisance. They seek damages related to such things as the costs of providing medical care to people addicted to opioids, costs of providing care for children whose parents are addicted and costs of social services and criminal justice.

"McKinsey's unlawful conduct, including its misrepresentations and omissions regarding opioids, generally, and Purdue's opioids, specifically, have fueled an opioid epidemic within plaintiffs' communities that constitutes a public nuisance," the lawsuits said. "McKinsey and Purdue knowingly exacerbated a condition that affects entire municipalities, counties, towns and communities."