The Supreme Court wrestles with OxyContin maker’s bankruptcy deal, with billions of dollars at stake
1 year ago

The Supreme Court wrestles with OxyContin maker’s bankruptcy deal, with billions of dollars at stake

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday wrestled with a nationwide settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma that would shield members of the Sackler family who own the company from civil lawsuits over the toll of opioids. “The Sacklers didn’t come anywhere close to doing that.” Arguments lasted nearly two hours in a packed courtroom, its doors draped in black in memoriam to retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who died Friday. A lawyer for a victim who opposes the settlement calls the provision dealing with the Sacklers “special protection for billionaires.” Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson seemed more inclined toward the opponents, saying the Sacklers’ insistence on a shield against all lawsuits is “causing this problem.” By contrast, Justice Brett Kavanaugh sounded like a vote to allow the deal to proceed. He said the government was seeking to prevent payment to victims and their families, as well as money for prevention programs “in exchange really for this somewhat theoretical idea that they’ll be able to recover money down the road from the Sacklers themselves.” OxyContin first hit the market in 1996, and Purdue Pharma’s aggressive marketing of it is often cited as a catalyst of the nationwide opioid epidemic, persuading doctors to prescribe painkillers with less regard for addiction dangers.

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History of this topic

The threat of litigation looms as Purdue Pharma returns to settlement talks
5 months, 2 weeks ago

The threat of litigation looms as Purdue Pharma returns to settlement talks

Associated Press  

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma is trying to chart the course for a new mass settlement of thousands of lawsuits over the toll of opioids after the U.S. Supreme Court last month rejected its previous deal, which was years in the making. The deal it ultimately struck called for Sackler family members, who had already left the company’s board of directors, …

Supreme Court shreds $6 billion opioid settlement plan in ruling against Sackler family
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Supreme Court shreds $6 billion opioid settlement plan in ruling against Sackler family

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The …

US Supreme Court blocks Purdue Pharma bankruptcy settlement that would have protected Sackler family
5 months, 3 weeks ago

US Supreme Court blocks Purdue Pharma bankruptcy settlement that would have protected Sackler family

ABC  

In short: The US Supreme Court has ruled against a bankruptcy plan that would have shielded the Sackler family from legal liability. Bankruptcy may become a less attractive way to resolve sprawling lawsuits after a US Supreme Court ruling blocked OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma's settlement. On Thursday, the court ruled against an estimated $US6 billion Purdue Pharma bankruptcy plan that …

US Supreme Court blocks bankruptcy settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma
5 months, 3 weeks ago

US Supreme Court blocks bankruptcy settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma

Hindustan Times  

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday blocked OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma's bankruptcy settlement that would have shielded its wealthy Sackler family owners from lawsuits over their role in the nation's deadly opioid epidemic. The Supreme Court on Thursday, June 27, 2024, rejected a nationwide settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma that would have shielded members of the Sackler family who …

The legal odyssey for OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and its owners is complex. Here’s what to know
5 months, 3 weeks ago

The legal odyssey for OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and its owners is complex. Here’s what to know

Associated Press  

Members of the Sackler family who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma have been cast as prime villains in the U.S. opioid epidemic. At the time of the drug’s 1996 launch, Richard Sackler, a son of Raymond who was then a Purdue executive and later became president and board chair, told the company’s sales force at a meeting that there would …

The Supreme Court rejects a nationwide opioid settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma
5 months, 3 weeks ago

The Supreme Court rejects a nationwide opioid settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a nationwide settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma that would have shielded members of the Sackler family who own the company from civil lawsuits over the toll of opioids but also would have provided billions of dollars to combat the opioid epidemic. Justice Neil Gorsuch, writing for the majority, said “nothing in …

US Supreme Court rejects opioid settlement that shields Sackler family
5 months, 3 weeks ago

US Supreme Court rejects opioid settlement that shields Sackler family

Al Jazeera  

Decision reverses a lower court’s ruling that had upheld plan to give Purdue Pharma’s owners immunity in exchange for paying up to $6bn to settle thousands of lawsuits. The US Supreme Court has blocked OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy settlement, which would have shielded its wealthy Sackler family owners from lawsuits over their role in the deadly opioid epidemic in …

Supreme Court upsets $10-billion opioid settlement because it shields the Sacklers
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Supreme Court upsets $10-billion opioid settlement because it shields the Sacklers

LA Times  

The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a mass settlement related to the nation’s opioid crisis that would have paid an estimated $10 billion to victims, hospitals, states and others, and shielded the Sackler family from further liability. The Sacklers, owners of the Purdue Pharma company, had denied wrongdoing but agreed to contribute $6 billion to the settlement fund if they …

US Supreme Court scrutinizes controversial opioid crisis settlement that would give Sackler family immunity
1 year ago

US Supreme Court scrutinizes controversial opioid crisis settlement that would give Sackler family immunity

CNN  

CNN — The Supreme Court spent nearly two hours Monday morning grappling with whether federal bankruptcy code permits a controversial agreement that would give billions of dollars to victims of the opioid epidemic while protecting members of the Sackler family, who owned the company Purdue Pharma, from current and future opioid-related civil lawsuits. Monday’s arguments unfolded as scores of demonstrators …

OxyContin maker’s settlement plan divides victims of opioid crisis. Now it’s up to the Supreme Court
1 year, 1 month ago

OxyContin maker’s settlement plan divides victims of opioid crisis. Now it’s up to the Supreme Court

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The agreement by the maker of OxyContin to settle thousands of lawsuits over the harm done by opioids could help combat the overdose epidemic that the painkiller helped spark. In exchange for giving up ownership of drug manufacturer Purdue Pharma and for contributing up to $6 billion to fight the crisis, members of the wealthy Sackler family would …

Supreme Court blocks, for now, OxyContin maker bankruptcy deal that would shield Sacklers
1 year, 4 months ago

Supreme Court blocks, for now, OxyContin maker bankruptcy deal that would shield Sacklers

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday temporarily blocked a nationwide settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma that would shield members of the Sackler family who own the company from civil lawsuits over the toll of opioids. But a key component of the agreement would shield family members, who are not seeking bankruptcy protection as individuals, from lawsuits. “We are …

Sackler family, the maker of OxyContin, will be shielded from lawsuits as part of $6B settlement
1 year, 6 months ago

Sackler family, the maker of OxyContin, will be shielded from lawsuits as part of $6B settlement

Associated Press  

A federal appeals court cleared the way for the maker of OxyContin to settle thousands of legal claims tied to the opioid epidemic while shielding the wealthy owners of Purdue Pharma, the Sackler family, from future lawsuits. Tuesday’s decision also protects members of the Sackler family from lawsuits over the toll of opioids, even though they did not file for …

Federal judges are asked to pave way for Purdue Pharma deal
2 years, 7 months ago

Federal judges are asked to pave way for Purdue Pharma deal

Associated Press  

Lawyers for OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and many of those who had claims against the company over the toll of opioids joined together Friday to urge a federal judicial panel to allow a plan that would settle lawsuits across the country. “That’s the fundamental inconsistency here.” Lawyers for Purdue and others who support the settlement said that the protections for …

Judge favors boosting Sackler payment in Purdue Pharma deal
2 years, 9 months ago

Judge favors boosting Sackler payment in Purdue Pharma deal

Associated Press  

A judge said Wednesday that he would approve a plan that locks members of the Sackler family who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma into pumping at least another $1.2 billion into a nationwide lawsuit settlement that, if ultimately confirmed, would transform the company into a public trust. Aaron Cahn, a lawyer representing West Virginia, called the extra $277 million for …

Opioid crisis victims confront Purdue Pharma’s Sackler family
2 years, 9 months ago

Opioid crisis victims confront Purdue Pharma’s Sackler family

Al Jazeera  

In a rare hearing, two dozen people whose lives and families have been wracked by opioid abuse give statements in US Bankruptcy Court. Thursday’s unusual hearing, conducted virtually in United States Bankruptcy Court, gave them what they have wanted for years: the chance to confront members of the billionaire Sackler family who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and tell them …

Purdue Pharma, US states agree to new opioid settlement
2 years, 9 months ago

Purdue Pharma, US states agree to new opioid settlement

Associated Press  

Purdue Pharma reached a nationwide settlement Thursday over its role in the opioid crisis, with the Sackler family members who own the company boosting their cash contribution to as much as $6 billion in a deal intended to staunch a flood of lawsuits facing the maker of OxyContin. “While the families have acted lawfully in all respects, they sincerely regret …

Purdue Pharma’s Sacklers reach $6BN opioid deal with US states
2 years, 9 months ago

Purdue Pharma’s Sacklers reach $6BN opioid deal with US states

Al Jazeera  

The deal eases Purdue Pharma’s path towards resolving trillions of dollars in claims and gives the Sackler family broad immunity from future opioid lawsuits in the United States. Members of the billionaire Sackler family that own Purdue Pharma LP have agreed to a bigger opioid settlement with the handful of states that worked to overturn its prior deal. The agreement …

Purdue Pharma, U.S. states agree to new opioid settlement
2 years, 9 months ago

Purdue Pharma, U.S. states agree to new opioid settlement

LA Times  

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma reached a settlement Thursday over its role in the nation’s deadly opioid crisis that includes U.S. states and thousands of local governments, with the Sackler family members who own the company boosting their cash contribution to as much as $6 billion. While the families have acted lawfully in all respects, they sincerely regret that OxyContin, a …

The US opioid epidemic, edition 2021
2 years, 11 months ago

The US opioid epidemic, edition 2021

Al Jazeera  

Those responsible for the opioid-related deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans are yet to be held accountable. That’s Why They’re Deadly in Tough Times”, explains that such drugs “mimic the neurotransmitters that are responsible for making social connection comforting – tying parent to child, lover to beloved”. When confronted with this statistic at the time, then-US Ambassador to the …

Suits against OxyContin owners on hold; negotiations ordered
2 years, 11 months ago

Suits against OxyContin owners on hold; negotiations ordered

Associated Press  

Even though one judge rejected OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma’s sweeping settlement of thousands of lawsuits over the opioid crisis, another refused Wednesday to allow litigation to move ahead just yet against members of the Sackler family who own the company — but also ordered negotiations for a reworked settlement. Sackler family members would also contribute $4.5 billion in cash and …

Judge rejects Purdue Pharma’s sweeping opioid settlement
3 years ago

Judge rejects Purdue Pharma’s sweeping opioid settlement

Associated Press  

A federal judge rejected OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy settlement of thousands of lawsuits over the opioid epidemic Thursday because of a provision that would protect members of the Sackler family from facing litigation of their own. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, who was among a handful of state officials seeking to have the deal undone, called the ruling “a …

Appeals are mounting in Purdue Pharma bankruptcy settlement
3 years, 2 months ago

Appeals are mounting in Purdue Pharma bankruptcy settlement

Associated Press  

Objections to a historic settlement with Purdue Pharma are mounting in the form of appeals, with Rhode Island’s attorney general saying Wednesday the plan doesn’t hold the OxyContin maker or its owners accountable for its role in sparking the opioid crisis. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, a Democrat, said he doesn’t accept that the resolution between Purdue Pharma and …

The Purdue Pharma Deal Would Deliver Billions, But Individual Payouts Will Be Small
3 years, 2 months ago

The Purdue Pharma Deal Would Deliver Billions, But Individual Payouts Will Be Small

NPR  

The Purdue Pharma Deal Would Deliver Billions, But Individual Payouts Will Be Small Enlarge this image toggle caption Jesse Costa/WBUR Jesse Costa/WBUR The multibillion-dollar bankruptcy settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family is grounded in an opioid crisis that has injured or killed an untold number of Americans. "There's no amount of money that would ease the pain or …

Use of OxyContin profits to fight opioids formally approved
3 years, 3 months ago

Use of OxyContin profits to fight opioids formally approved

Associated Press  

A judge formally approved a plan Friday to turn OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma into a new company no longer owned by members of the Sackler family and with its profits going to fight the opioid epidemic. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain officially confirmed the reorganization Friday, more than two weeks after he announced he would do so pending two largely …

The DOJ Moves To Block The Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Deal That Shields The Sacklers
3 years, 3 months ago

The DOJ Moves To Block The Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Deal That Shields The Sacklers

NPR  

The DOJ Moves To Block The Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Deal That Shields The Sacklers Enlarge this image toggle caption Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg/Getty Images Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg/Getty Images A division of the Justice Department that serves as a watchdog over the federal bankruptcy system filed an appeal late Wednesday seeking to block the controversial Purdue Pharma bankruptcy plan. But throughout a …

Legal shield for Purdue Pharma owners is at heart of appeals
3 years, 3 months ago

Legal shield for Purdue Pharma owners is at heart of appeals

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Critics say the company's best-selling prescription painkiller helped fuel …

Judge conditionally approves Purdue Pharma opioid settlement
3 years, 3 months ago

Judge conditionally approves Purdue Pharma opioid settlement

Associated Press  

A federal bankruptcy judge gave conditional approval Wednesday to a sweeping settlement that will remove the Sackler family from ownership of OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and devote potentially $10 billion to fighting the opioid crisis that has killed a half-million Americans over the past two decades. “Let’s help the people who are really struggling with this disease.” In a statement, …

The Sacklers, Who Made Billions From OxyContin, Win Immunity From Opioid Lawsuits
3 years, 3 months ago

The Sacklers, Who Made Billions From OxyContin, Win Immunity From Opioid Lawsuits

NPR  

The Sacklers, Who Made Billions From OxyContin, Win Immunity From Opioid Lawsuits Enlarge this image toggle caption Brian Mann Brian Mann Members of the Sackler family who are at the center of the nation's deadly opioid crisis have won sweeping immunity from opioid lawsuits linked to their privately owned company Purdue Pharma and its OxyContin medication. Federal Judge Robert Drain …

Owner: Purdue hoped new Oxy would help in crisis; no apology
3 years, 4 months ago

Owner: Purdue hoped new Oxy would help in crisis; no apology

Associated Press  

The family that owns Purdue Pharma had hoped a reformulated version of Oxycontin would help rein in the burgeoning opioid crisis a decade ago, a member of the Sackler family said Thursday in court testimony that once again stopped short of an apology or acceptance of responsibility for the epidemic. Maryland Assistant Attorney General Brian Edmunds, attempting to build a …

Heir: Sacklers won’t settle unless freed from opioid suits
3 years, 4 months ago

Heir: Sacklers won’t settle unless freed from opioid suits

Associated Press  

Members of the family that owns OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma won’t contribute billions of dollars to a legal settlement unless they get off the hook for all current and future lawsuits over the company’s activities, one of them told a court Tuesday in a rare public appearance. David Sackler, grandson of one of the brothers who nearly 70 years ago …

Heir: Sacklers won't settle unless freed from opioid suits
3 years, 4 months ago

Heir: Sacklers won't settle unless freed from opioid suits

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. David Sackler, grandson of one of …

Sacklers won’t pay up in US opioid suit unless granted protection
3 years, 4 months ago

Sacklers won’t pay up in US opioid suit unless granted protection

Al Jazeera  

The family that owns OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma will not pay billions to a legal settlement unless they get protection from future lawsuits, a family heir told a court Tuesday. Members of the family that owns OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma won’t contribute billions of dollars to a legal settlement unless they get off the hook for all current and future …

West Virginia opposes Purdue Pharma bankruptcy plan
3 years, 5 months ago

West Virginia opposes Purdue Pharma bankruptcy plan

Associated Press  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said he will oppose OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy plan, arguing that his state, one of the hardest hit by the opioid epidemic, would get shorted in settlement money. “I remain vigorously opposed to a proposed allocation formula that would distribute settlement funds largely based on a state or local government’s …

Purdue Pharma exit plan gains steam with OK from more states
3 years, 5 months ago

Purdue Pharma exit plan gains steam with OK from more states

Associated Press  

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma’s plan to reorganize into a new entity that helps combat the U.S. opioid epidemic got a big boost as 15 states that had previously opposed the new business model now support it. The agreement from multiple state attorneys general, including those who had most aggressively opposed Purdue’s original settlement proposal, was disclosed late Wednesday night in …

More US states reach deal in OxyContin maker Purdue’s bankruptcy
3 years, 5 months ago

More US states reach deal in OxyContin maker Purdue’s bankruptcy

Al Jazeera  

If approved by the court, the bankruptcy plan would include legal releases shielding Purdue Pharma LP’s wealthy owners, the Sackler family, from future litigation. Fifteen more United States states reached an agreement with Purdue Pharma LP and members of its wealthy Sackler family owners that moved the OxyContin maker a step closer to resolving widespread opioid litigation and exiting bankruptcy …

Sackler Family Empire Poised To Win Immunity From Opioid Lawsuits
3 years, 6 months ago

Sackler Family Empire Poised To Win Immunity From Opioid Lawsuits

NPR  

Sackler Family Empire Poised To Win Immunity From Opioid Lawsuits Enlarge this image toggle caption Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images After more than a year of high-stakes negotiations with billions of dollars on the line, a bankruptcy plan for Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, cleared a major hurdle late Wednesday. Sponsor Message This development …

24 States Mount Legal Fight To Block Sackler Bid For Opioid Immunity
3 years, 7 months ago

24 States Mount Legal Fight To Block Sackler Bid For Opioid Immunity

NPR  

24 States Mount Legal Fight To Block Sackler Bid For Opioid Immunity Enlarge this image toggle caption House Television via AP House Television via AP For months, members of the Sackler family that owns Purdue Pharma, the maker of Oxycontin, have portrayed their bid for immunity from future opioid lawsuits as a kind of fait accompli, a take-it-or-leave-it fix to …

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma pleads guilty in criminal case
4 years ago

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma pleads guilty in criminal case

Associated Press  

Purdue Pharma pleaded guilty Tuesday to three criminal charges, formally taking responsibility for its part in an opioid epidemic that has contributed to hundreds of thousands of deaths but also angering critics who want to see individuals held accountable, in addition to the company. Last week, as part of a motion to get access to more family documents, the attorneys …

Federal Judge Approves Landmark $8.3 Billion Purdue Pharma Opioid Settlement
4 years, 1 month ago

Federal Judge Approves Landmark $8.3 Billion Purdue Pharma Opioid Settlement

NPR  

Federal Judge Approves Landmark $8.3 Billion Purdue Pharma Opioid Settlement Enlarge this image John Moore/Getty Images John Moore/Getty Images A federal bankruptcy judge approved a controversial $8.3 billion settlement late Tuesday between Purdue Pharma and the Department of Justice. Sponsor Message Judge Drain swatted aside objections to the deal raised by a coalition of more than two dozen states that …

Purdue Pharma to pay $8.3bn, plead guilty to settle opioid probes
4 years, 2 months ago

Purdue Pharma to pay $8.3bn, plead guilty to settle opioid probes

Al Jazeera  

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma pleads guilty to three felony charges and agrees to pay $8.3bn to settle federal probes into its role in fuelling the US opioid crisis. Purdue Pharma LP agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges over the handling of its addictive prescription opioid OxyContin, in a deal with United States prosecutors that effectively sidestepped paying billions of …

Purdue Pharma Reaches $8B Opioid Deal With Justice Department Over OxyContin Sales
4 years, 2 months ago

Purdue Pharma Reaches $8B Opioid Deal With Justice Department Over OxyContin Sales

NPR  

Purdue Pharma Reaches $8B Opioid Deal With Justice Department Over OxyContin Sales Enlarge this image toggle caption Drew Angerer/Getty Images Drew Angerer/Getty Images Updated at 12:14 p.m. ET The Justice Department announced on Wednesday a global settlement of civil and criminal investigations into Purdue Pharma's aggressive marketing of opioid medications, including OxyContin. However, Justice Department officials said this deal doesn't …

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