OXYCONTIN MAKER (PURDUE PHARMA) REACHES $8B DEAL WITH JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Purdue Pharma is the maker of OxyContin and other opioid-based medications. The civil and criminal settlement was recently approved by a federal bankruptcy judge to address the company’s role in the nation’s deadly opioid epidemic.
Now, owners of the company, the Sackler family, are under scrutiny for $10B transferred from the company over the last decade. Some are calling it an attempt to shield their wealth from litigation relating to the drug.
Evidence shows that as early as 2007, the Sackler family was concerned about future legal trouble for their role in the vast marketing and distribution of OxyContin and other addictive drugs.
There are currently more than 3,000 suits filed against Purdue Pharma. Creditors who did not get paid from the company’s bankruptcy are seeking compensation from the Sackler family private assets.
While the outcome of the various lawsuits is still unclear, Potts Law Firm is dedicated to continuing to fight for our clients.
MORE ON THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC
The opioid epidemic has claimed the lives of roughly 450,000 people across the United States since 1999 due to overdoses from prescription painkillers and illegal drugs such as heroin and fentanyl.
More than 191 million opioid prescriptions were given to American patients in 2017. That’s more than 1 and 5 U.S. adults. At only 5% of the world’s population, U.S. consumers take in almost 80% of the world’s prescription opioids.
Anyone who takes prescription opioids can become addicted to them. As many as one in four patients receiving long-term opioid therapy struggles with opioid addiction.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact National Drug Helpline 1-844-289-0879 or visit https://drughelpline.org/opiate-hotline/.
Contact us online to schedule a consultation or give us a call at (888) 902-6245.