Drugmaker asks judge to OK settlement plan

NEW YORK — Purdue Pharma’s quest to settle thousands of lawsuits over the toll of OxyContin and its other prescription opioid painkillers entered its final phase Thursday with the grudging support of many of those who have claims against the company.

Nearly two years after seeking bankruptcy protection, the company appeared before a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge to ask for approval of its plan to reorganize into a new entity no longer controlled by members of the wealthy Sackler family, and with profits dedicated to abating the opioid crisis.

Opponents fault the deal for giving members of the Sackler family protection from lawsuits over opioids even though they have not personally filed for bankruptcy or admitted wrongdoing.

But most of the groups with claims against Purdue are on board with the settlement plan.

Speaking before the hearing, Ed Neiger, a lawyer representing individual victims and their families, said he would tell U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert Drain that it’s better to approve the settlement plan than to have years more of court battles with Purdue and the Sacklers.

Those with claims against Purdue were given a vote on the settlement, though Judge Drain is not bound by the results.

Well over 90% of most groups of creditors — including local governments and individual victims — said they approved, according to court filings.

The Purdue case is the highest-profile part of a vast landscape of litigation over an opioid epidemic that has been linked to more than 500,000 U.S. deaths since 2000, including those from prescription drugs such as OxyContin and generic painkillers, along with illicit drugs including heroin and illegally produced fentanyl.

The company says its plan could be worth $10 billion over time. Profits and money already in the company’s coffers would be used to abate the opioid crisis, funding treatment programs and education campaigns.