“Right now, millions of people across the country are desperately suffering from opioid addiction. They need help and they need it now”
– Quote from joint statement issued by 20+ US State Attorney Generals
Over 20+ US State Attorney Generals reject the current bankruptcy plan offered by Purdue Pharma, who have ongoing claims against them for their role in the opioid epidemic in United States. Still no admittance from owners of company on wrongdoing, though this addiction crisis has killed more than 450,000 Americans.
Through plea deals with US Justice Department, the company admitted twice (in 2007 and 2020) to illegally marketing opioid medications. As part of these deals, Purdue Pharma acknowledged that doctors and patients were lied to about the safety of its product of OxyContin – which was one of the most widely abused prescription drug in United States.
Current settlement and bankruptcy talks to address ongoing claims have Purdue Pharma, which is valued at roughly $10 billion, would have them give low-cost addiction treatment medications (which new company from owners of Purdue Pharma would make and sell), instead of cash, which many communities who have been affected by the opioid epidemic would prefer.