OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma has asked a U.S. bankruptcy judge to temporarily halt the 2,600-plus lawsuits against the Stamford firm, and to protect the wealthy members of the Sackler family who own it from additional litigation.
In its filing, the pharma giant said its request for halting the lawsuits for roughly nine months was not “out of a desire to benefit or protect” anyone, “including any member of the Sackler families.” Instead, it argues, the lawsuits would slow down the proposed settlement of up to $12 billion that Purdue is trying to work out.
Twenty-four states have tentatively accepted that offer, but another 24 ”“ including Connecticut and New York ”“ have not.