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Purdue Pharma asks bankruptcy judge to stop opioid litigation

Purdue Pharma LP asked U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain to stop opioid litigations for about nine months, Reuters reported, citing court documents.

Stamford, Conn.-based Purdue Pharma's request also seeks protection for its founders, the Sackler family, from related opioid cases. The OxyContin manufacturer and the Sackler family are facing more than 2,600 lawsuits for allegedly fueling the U.S. opioid epidemic.

According to the report, the company said in the court filing that an injunction would help preserve financial resources that would otherwise be used up in prolonged legal battles. Court documents show Purdue Pharma is paying more than $5 million each week in legal and professional fees, as well as other related expenses.

Attorneys general for Massachusetts and New York plan to oppose the company's request.

Although a bankruptcy filing would normally stop lawsuits immediately, Purdue is said to be expecting some states to say their suits involve public health and safety laws, so the usual bankruptcy rules do not apply.

On Sept. 16, Purdue Pharma filed for bankruptcy protection after reaching a deal worth up to $12 billion to settle litigation with 24 state attorneys general, officials from five U.S. territories and other plaintiffs claiming the company's marketing practices contributed to the painkiller addiction crisis in the U.S.