After weeks of anticipation, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday will hear arguments to decide the fate of a controversial bankruptcy deal in which the owners of Purdue Pharma would contribute up to $6 billion in exchange for immunity from further lawsuits.
The company was accused of downplaying the risks of OxyContin and improperly persuading physicians to prescribe the addictive painkiller. After facing a growing number of lawsuits filed by state and local governments seeking restitution from the fallout of the long-running opioid crisis, Purdue subsequently sought bankruptcy protection.
However, members of the Sackler family, who control the company, insisted on the legal shield in return for contributing to the settlement even though, as individuals, they did not file for bankruptcy. If the proposed settlement passes final muster, it would mean the Sacklers and many of their associates could never be served with a lawsuit over OxyContin marketing.