Fact Check: Purdue Pharma filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2019 after being sued thousands of times for its role in the opioid crisis.

Fact Check: "Purdue Pharma filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2019 after being sued thousands of times for its role in the opioid crisis."

What We Know

Purdue Pharma, a pharmaceutical company known for manufacturing the prescription opioid OxyContin, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on September 15, 2019. This decision was made in response to a significant number of lawsuits related to its role in the opioid crisis, which has led to widespread addiction and overdose deaths across the United States. The bankruptcy filing aimed to resolve thousands of opioid-related lawsuits against the company (Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Transcripts Collection, NPR).

The company has faced legal challenges for its aggressive marketing practices and the subsequent impact of its products on public health. In 2007 and again in 2020, Purdue pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges concerning its marketing of OxyContin (Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Transcripts Collection).

Analysis

The claim that Purdue Pharma filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2019 is supported by multiple credible sources. The bankruptcy was a strategic move to manage the overwhelming number of lawsuits it faced, which were largely due to its involvement in the opioid epidemic (NPR, New York Times).

The reliability of the sources is high, as they include legal documents and reputable news outlets. The bankruptcy transcripts provide direct evidence of the legal proceedings and the context surrounding the filing. NPR and The New York Times are well-established media organizations known for their investigative reporting and fact-checking standards, further validating the information presented.

Additionally, the legal ramifications of Purdue's actions have continued to unfold, with a recent $7.4 billion settlement reached in 2025, which underscores the ongoing impact of the opioid crisis and Purdue's role in it (Attorney General Phil Weiser, NPR).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Purdue Pharma filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2019 after being sued thousands of times for its role in the opioid crisis is accurate. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that the bankruptcy was a direct response to the extensive litigation the company faced due to its involvement in the opioid epidemic.

Sources

1. Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Transcripts Collection
2. 23-124 Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P. (06/27/24)
3. AG Sunday Announces Historic Settlement with Purdue Pharma and Sackler ...
4. Harrington v. Purdue Pharma: Supreme Court Holds That a ...
5. Attorney General Phil Weiser helps secure $7.4 billion from ...
6. Purdue Pharma, Accused Of Fueling Opioid Crisis, Files For Chapter 11 - NPR
7. Purdue Pharma, Sacklers reach new $7.4 billion opioid ...
8. Purdue Pharma, Maker of OxyContin, Files for Bankruptcy