A New York court of appeals has ruled that members of the Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma, will be shielded from current and future lawsuits related to the company’s role in the opioid crisis. The ruling paves the way for a bankruptcy deal for Purdue Pharma, with the Sacklers agreeing to pay billions of dollars to address the ongoing opioid epidemic.

As part of the settlement, the family has allowed the removal of their name from buildings and programs in the United States, as long as they are informed and the public statements do not disparage them. The families of the late Mortimer and Raymond Sackler expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, believing it will provide substantial resources for those in need.

Purdue Pharma hailed the ruling as a victory and emphasized its commitment to delivering compensation and abatement efforts for the opioid crisis. However, California’s Attorney General expressed disappointment that the ruling did not remove the Sacklers’ liability shield for private claims, as victims deserve the option to seek justice in court. Purdue Pharma has been accused of fueling the opioid epidemic by promoting the addictive drug OxyContin as non-addictive. The crisis has claimed the lives of over 564,000 people from opioid overdoses between 1999 and 2020.