HOOKED ON OXY
A judge on Wednesday ordered records unsealed in a case in which Kentucky alleged that improper
The maker of OxyContin, Purdue Pharma, agreed in December to pay the state $24 million to settle the lawsuit.
The settlement included a provision for many records from the legal fight to be destroyed, but some remain sealed in Pike County, where the state filed suit.
Those records include a sworn statement from Dr. Richard Sackler, a former Purdue Pharma president whose family controls the privately held company, according to a digital publication called STAT.
STAT, which is based in Boston and reports on life sciences and medicine, said in a news release that Sackler is believed to be the only member of the family questioned under oath about OxyContin marketing.
STAT sought a court order opening
It said the
The state lawsuit accused Purdue Pharma of misrepresenting how
The company did not admit wrongdoing as part of the $24 million settlement.
Pike Circuit Judge Steven D. Combs on Wednesday granted STAT’s request to unseal documents in the case, saying the public’s right to the information outweighed Purdue Pharma’s objections.
The court “sees no higher value than the public (via the media) having access to these discovery materials so that the public can see the facts for themselves,” Combs wrote.
Combs said the documents would be made public in 32 days. However, he said his decision will be put on hold if it is appealed.
An attorney for Purdue Pharma said the company would appeal Comb’s order, STAT reported.
STAT issued a statement applauding Combs’ ruling.
“The national opioid epidemic is killing 30,000 people a year, and we are pleased that the court moved so swiftly to bring to light records that can inform the public’s understanding of Purdue’s role in this crisis,” said Rick Berke, executive editor of the publication.
By Bill Estep
Lexington Herald-Leader
