Purdue Pharma L.P. announced it has reached an agreement in principle on a framework for settling the U.S. opioid litigation facing the Company with 24 state attorneys general over its opioid practices.
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New York state. (See link to earlier story below.
Delaware is not part of that agreement. The First State is among the parties that believe the proposed settlement does not include enough of the assets of the Sackler family owners. The family has been accused of moving money to Swiss bank accounts.
Purdue claims the settlement structure is estimated to provide more than $10 billion of value to address the opioid crisis. The key elements of the settlement, subject to court approval, include:
- The owners of Purdue contributing all of its assets to a trust or other entity established for the benefit of claimants and the American people;
- The new company (“NewCo”) being governed by a new board selected by claimants and approved by the Bankruptcy Court;
- NewCo potentially contributing tens of millions of doses of opioid overdose reversal and addiction treatment medications at no or low cost;
- NewCo agreeing to be bound permanently by injunctive relief, including marketing restrictions on the sale and promotion of opioids; and
- In addition to 100 percent of Purdue, the Sackler families contributing a minimum of $3 billion, with the potential for substantial further monetary contributions from the sales of their ex-U.S. pharmaceutical businesses.
“This unique framework for a comprehensive resolution will dedicate all of the assets and resources of Purdue for the benefit of the American public,” said Steve Miller, chairman of Purdue’s board. “This settlement framework avoids wasting hundreds of millions of dollars and years on protracted litigation, and instead will provide billions of dollars and critical resources to communities across the country trying to cope with the opioid crisis. We will continue to work with state attorneys general and other plaintiff representatives to finalize and implement this agreement as quickly as possible.”
The settlement framework contemplates that NewCo could provide to states and local communities, at no or low cost, life-saving opioid overdose reversal medications such as nalmefene and naloxone.
Purdue has received FDA fast-track designation for nalmefene hydrochloride, a much-needed treatment that has the potential to reverse overdoses from powerful synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. NewCo could also continue supporting the development of an over-the-counter (OTC) nasal naloxone product, and provide millions of doses of these medicines at no or low cost to communities around the country. It
is hoped that this will dramatically increase access to this life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication, one of the FDA’s top public health priorities.
Purdue said the Chapter 11 process is intended to, among other things, lead to an orderly and equitable resolution of all claims against Purdue, while preserving the value of Purdue’s assets for the benefit of those impacted by the opioid crisis.
Attorney General outlines reasons for rejection of Purdue opioid settlement
