Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma has agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges related to the marketing and distribution of its highly addictive painkillers as part of a settlement worth more than $8 billion, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.
The drug manufacturer is expected to plead guilty in federal court in New Jersey to three felonies, including one count of dual-object conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and two counts of conspiracy to violate the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute, the department said in a press release.
The plea includes an admission by Purdue Pharma that it marketed opioids to more than 100 doctors that it suspected of writing illegal prescriptions and lying about this to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The criminal resolution includes a $3.54 billion criminal fine as well as a $2 billion in criminal forfeiture, the largest criminal penalties ever to be levied against a pharmaceutical manufacturer. In addition, the company has agreed to pay $2.8 billion in a civil settlement, bringing the total penalties to $8.3 billion.
However, because of Purdue Pharma’s ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, it is unlikely the company will pay anything close to the $8.3 billion negotiated in the settlement deal, according to The New York Times. The federal government joins many other creditors that typically end up collecting “pennies on the dollar in bankruptcy proceedings,” The Times reported.
Separately, the company’s owners, members of the wealthy Sackler family, have agreed to pay $225 million in civil penalties. The deal does not release any of the company’s executives or owners from criminal liability, Fox Business reported, and a criminal investigation is ongoing.
The civil settlement resolves allegations that Dr. Richard Sackler, David Sackler, Mortimer D.A. Sackler, Dr. Kathe Sackler and Jonathan Sackler — despite knowing the legitimate market for Purdue Pharma’s opioids had contracted — approved a new marketing program in 2013 designed to intensify OxyContin marketing to high-volume prescribers. The marketing push resulted in health care providers prescribing opioids for uses that were “unsafe, ineffective, and medically unnecessary, and that often led to abuse and diversion,” according to prosecutors.
Opioid drugs such as OxyContin, Vicodin, morphine, fentanyl and others are commonly used by medical professionals to manage pain after surgery or injuries. Although these drugs are effective in managing pain, they are also incredibly addictive.
After someone is prescribed opioids by a doctor, they may eventually develop an addiction — leading them to seek irresponsible opioid prescriptions or even turn to street-drug opioids, such as heroin, Top Class Actions has reported.
Purdue Pharma’s role in the widespread distribution of the powerful prescription painkiller OxyContin has contributed to an opioid epidemic that has resulted in nearly 450,000 American deaths between 1999 and 2018, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“The opioid epidemic remains a significant public health challenge that impacts the lives of men and women across the country,” Gary L. Cantrell, deputy inspector general for Investigations at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, said in a press release. “Unfortunately, Purdue’s reckless actions and violation of the law senselessly risked patients’ health and well-being. With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to combat the opioid crisis, including holding the pharmaceutical industry and its executives accountable.”
“Purdue deeply regrets and accepts responsibility for the misconduct detailed by the Department of Justice in the agreed statement of facts,” company board chairman Steve Miller said in a statement issued after the announcement of the deal, The New York Times reported.
While the federal settlement does not end all of the extensive litigation against Purdue Pharma, it does represent a major milestone after years of litigation by states, tribes, cities and counties to hold the prominent drug maker accountable, The Times reported.
In related legal news, Canada’s provinces have joined in the massive legal fight against Purdue Pharma over its introduction of OxyContin two decades ago, allegedly leading to the start of the devastating opioid crisis.
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
36 thoughts onOxyContin Maker Purdue Pharma to Plead Guilty In Opioid Sales Case
Sign me up
Any opiate related information is Appreciated. I’ve been on them for cancer pain and I wish I knew 20 years ago what I know today about them
Any info on Vioxx or OxyContin lawsuit would be appreciated
Any info on Vioxx or OxyContin lawsuit would be appreciated
Would be nice if they all were held accountable even the workmen comp lawyers you hired don’t care about you Do not Settle if you can’t work don’t settle you can get social security disability plus work comp checks at same time don’t settle trust me lol
This is so screwed up I’m so sorry for those who lost loved ones I’ve been in pain management since 2001 and workmen comp is just evil doctors that don’t believe you you get prescribed meds that cause you a heart attack and strokes like Vioxx and nobody tells you about the lawsuit etc your just home trying to get better so you can take care of your family etc
where can we obtain info on the payments, my wife is bedridden because of this
Sorry to hear about your wife I lost mine in 2020 after 31 years together will keep y’all in my prayers
It’s bullshit I filed paperwork with the lawyers handling it and no one ever got ahold of me they ruined my wife and my lives ..They made billions and went bankrupt as slap on the wrist .
Yedsme too and when i call atty its bi change. No news yet. Are we getting paid anything or is it all going to the government? This is BS…
We will be lucky to receive anything is what it sounds like.
I think all the drs that helped push their junk needs held accountable right along with purdue!! What dr prescribes nearly 180 pills for a 30 day prescription!! I had 3 extensive back surgeries i asked if oxycontin was addictive the dr said a low rate and the drug worked excellent for pain what they fail to tell you it helps create a addict!!