Purdue Pharma L.P.

Purdue's early OxyContin label said delayed absorption was believed to reduce abuse liability^S1. In 2007 Purdue pleaded guilty to felony misbranding of OxyContin, and the US Attorney told the Senate its claims of lower addiction and abuse were false^S1. On 24 November 2020 Purdue pleaded guilty in New Jersey to three felony conspiracy counts^S2. On 27 June 2024 the US Supreme Court held that the bankruptcy code does not permit nonconsensual releases for nondebtors, reversing the Second Circuit ruling that had upheld Purdue's earlier plan^S3. A new plan of about US$7.4 billion was confirmed on 18 November 2025^S4^S6. Purdue ceased operations on 1 May 2026^S5.

Also known as: Purdue Pharma, Purdue, The Purdue Frederick Company, Knoa Pharma LLC (successor operating company)
Headquarters: United States
Records from: United States
Current status: Purdue permanently ceased operations on 1 May 2026 when its Chapter 11 case concluded, and its business passed to Knoa Pharma, owned by the not-for-profit Knoa Foundation^S5. The US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York confirmed a plan providing about US$7.4 billion to creditors by an order of 18 November 2025^S6^S7.

Scope. This record covers OxyContin marketing claims, Purdue's federal guilty pleas and its bankruptcy. It does not cover state cases against individuals, other opioid makers, or the Sackler family as individuals.

Claims assessed

4 claims. Scores grade the evidence for each claim, not the organization.

Contradicted88
Purdue's original OxyContin label said that delayed absorption from OxyContin tablets was believed to reduce the drug's abuse liability.
Official report, 31 July 20074 records citedProduct claims
Supported87
The US Justice Department said Purdue Pharma pleaded guilty in November 2020 to three federal felonies tied to its opioid marketing.
Regulator statement, 24 November 20202 records citedFraud
Outdated94
Purdue said in May 2023 that the Second Circuit had upheld its plan of reorganization, which included releases of opioid claims against members of the Sackler family.
Company statement, 30 May 20232 records citedCorporate status
Supported83
Purdue said in November 2025 that the bankruptcy court would confirm its new plan, which provides about US$7.4 billion in cash to creditors.
Company statement, 14 November 20254 records citedCorporate status

Cases and proceedings

United States v. Purdue (OxyContin misbranding)US District Court for the Western District of Virginia. Criminal. Not confirmed in the records read.Stage: Guilty plea and court proceeding of 20 July 2007, as described by the US Attorney^S1.
- 20 July 2007 Felony misbranding plea by the company, with US$600 million in fines, forfeitures and civil recoveries^S1
United States v. Purdue Pharma L.P.US District Court for the District of New Jersey. Criminal. Not confirmed in the records read.Stage: Guilty plea entered on 24 November 2020. Sentencing record not read.
- 24 November 2020 Guilty plea to three felony conspiracy counts^S2
Harrington, United States Trustee, Region 2 v. Purdue Pharma L.P.Supreme Court of the United States. Insolvency. 23-124.Stage: Decided on 27 June 2024, reversed and remanded.
- 27 June 2024 Nonconsensual third party releases not authorized, Second Circuit reversed, 5-4^S3

Responses on record

Purdue Pharma L.P., 14 November 2025, on Purdue said in November 2025 that the bankruptcy court would confirm its new plan, which p...
Purdue said the plan achieved remarkable consensus with more than 99% creditor support.^S4

Revision history

25 October 2026 Profile and 4 assessments first published. Records checked to 25 October 2026.

Source records

S1Tier A Testimony of The Honorable John L. BrownleeUS Senate Committee on the Judiciary (testimony of the US Attorney for the Western District of Virginia). Government press release. 31 July 2007.Prosecutor's sworn account of the 2007 plea, the label wording and the falsity of the marketing claims. It is not the plea agreement itself.
S2Tier A Opioid Manufacturer Purdue Pharma Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Kickback ConspiraciesUS Department of Justice. Government press release. 24 November 2020.Reports the 2020 plea counts and agreed amounts. It does not report sentencing.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
S3Tier A Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P., No. 23-124, slip opinionSupreme Court of the United States. Court judgment. 27 June 2024.Holds that nonconsensual releases of claims against nondebtors are not authorized. It does not address the later plan.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
S4Tier B Bankruptcy Court to Confirm Purdue Pharma’s Plan of ReorganizationPurdue Pharma L.P. via Business Wire. Company statement. 14 November 2025.Company account of the court's indication of approval and the plan amounts. It is not the confirmation order.
S5Tier B Knoa Pharma Begins Operations as a New, Public Health-Focused Company Dedicated to Supporting Patients and Abating the Opioid CrisisKnoa Pharma via Business Wire. Company statement. 30 April 2026.Successor company statement that Purdue ceased operations on 1 May 2026. The page shows no dateline, and the date is taken from the release URL.
S6Tier A Notice of Bankruptcy Court Order Confirming Bankruptcy Plan and Enjoining Continuation of Proceedings as to Debtor Purdue Pharma, L.P., Affiliated Debtors, and Related PartiesUS District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (notice filed by the Sackler parties in MDL No. 2804, hosted by NAAG). Court filing. 21 November 2025.Court filing that cites the confirmation order of 18 November 2025 in case 19-23649 (SHL), ECF No. 8263. It is a party notice, not the order itself.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
S7Tier C Judge formally approves opioid settlement for Purdue Pharma and Sackler family members who own the companyAssociated Press (via PBS News). Press report. 18 November 2025.Report by Geoff Mulvihill that US Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane formally approved the plan on 18 November 2025.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
S8Tier A Timeline of Selected FDA Activities and Significant Events Addressing Substance Use and Overdose PreventionUS Food and Drug Administration. Regulator press release. Last updated 28 August 2026.FDA timeline dating the approval of OxyContin to December 1995. It does not quote the original label sentence on abuse liability.Link working, checked 25 October 2026