The Legacy of Purdue Pharma and the Opioid Crisis
For decades, Purdue Pharma was the sole manufacturer of the blockbuster prescription painkiller OxyContin. The company, owned by the Sackler family, aggressively marketed the drug by downplaying its addictive potential, a tactic that fueled a surge in opioid addiction and contributed significantly to the national opioid epidemic. Internal sales tactics pushed representatives to focus on high-prescribing doctors and encouraged higher doses despite warnings. Following widespread legal action, including a $600 million settlement in 2007, Purdue faced thousands of new lawsuits from state and local governments. The cumulative financial toll and legal pressure ultimately led the company to file for bankruptcy in 2019.
The Shift from Purdue Pharma to a Public Benefit Company
The bankruptcy proceedings have been lengthy and complex, with the Supreme Court overturning a previous settlement in 2024 before a new plan was filed in early 2025. The current reorganization plan centers on several key actions:
- Dissolution of Purdue Pharma: The company as it was known is set to be dissolved.
- Formation of a New Company: A new public benefit company will be created from Purdue's assets. This new entity will operate under different management and with a mandate focused on public health, including providing overdose reversal and addiction treatment medicines.
- Sackler Family Payments and Exclusion: The Sackler family has been required to relinquish ownership and contribute billions of dollars in installment payments toward settlements. The family will have no future role in the new company.
- Victim and Abatement Fund: The settlement funds are intended to compensate victims and establish programs for opioid addiction treatment and prevention.
This transition means that while the entity Purdue Pharma will cease to exist, a new company, potentially with a new name, will continue to manufacture and distribute the reformulated version of OxyContin.
The Reformulation of OxyContin
In response to mounting evidence of abuse, where users would crush the tablets to snort or inject the contents, Purdue Pharma developed a new, abuse-deterrent formulation of OxyContin. In 2013, the FDA approved this reformulated version and determined that the benefits of the original, more easily abused formulation no longer outweighed its risks, effectively removing the original version from the market for safety reasons.
The key differences between the original and reformulated versions include:
- Original Formulation (discontinued): Tablets were easily crushed, chewed, or dissolved, allowing for rapid release of the high dose of oxycodone, which was linked to overdose and death.
- Reformulated Version (current): This version is designed to be much more difficult to crush or dissolve. If tampered with, it turns into a gel-like substance that is difficult to inject.
The Wider Pharmaceutical Landscape: Generic Oxycodone and International Sales
While the original brand-name OxyContin has been off the market for years, other manufacturers produce generic versions of oxycodone. Some of these generic versions were initially authorized by Purdue itself or licensed by subsidiaries. It is important to note that the reformulated version of OxyContin has specific abuse-deterrent properties not found in all generic oxycodone products.
Simultaneously, the Sackler family’s pharmaceutical empire extended beyond the U.S. through the international company Mundipharma. Mundipharma also produces and markets opioids globally, using some of the same marketing strategies that drew scrutiny in the U.S.. In March 2025, the World Health Organization issued an alert about falsified Mundipharma-branded OxyContin containing highly potent synthetic opioids found in the unregulated market in Switzerland.
The Complexity of OxyContin Manufacturing
| Feature | Purdue/New Company (Brand-name) | Authorized Generics (Various Companies) | Mundipharma (International) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Shifting from Purdue Pharma to a new public benefit company. | Several companies have produced generic oxycodone, some as authorized generics. | Sister company of Purdue, still operating and marketing globally. |
| Product | Reformulated, abuse-deterrent OxyContin. | Standard and sometimes authorized generic oxycodone. | Sells opioids, including OxyContin, in global markets. |
| Legal Status | Manufacturer undergoing bankruptcy and legal settlements. | Involved in broader opioid settlements; standard regulatory compliance. | Faces different legal and regulatory environments internationally. |
| Abuse Deterrence | Reformulated to resist crushing and dissolving. | May not have abuse-deterrent properties unless specifically formulated. | May vary depending on the product and location. |
The Ongoing Evolution
The pharmaceutical landscape surrounding OxyContin is in constant flux due to the unprecedented legal and corporate actions. The establishment of a public benefit company is a novel approach to addressing corporate accountability in a public health crisis. This shift, along with the continuation of sales of the reformulated drug, signifies a new era for the medication. The transition reflects the immense public and legal pressure the original manufacturer, Purdue Pharma, faced, ultimately ending its corporate existence and forcing a new, more transparent path forward.
Conclusion
In summary, the original manufacturer of OxyContin, Purdue Pharma, is in the process of being dissolved and transformed into a public benefit company. This new, independently managed entity will continue to produce the reformulated, abuse-deterrent version of OxyContin. The original company will cease to exist, and the Sackler family has exited and is contributing billions toward settlements. Meanwhile, sister company Mundipharma continues international operations, highlighting the global complexity of opioid manufacturing and distribution. The situation underscores the lasting impact of the opioid crisis and the ongoing efforts to hold responsible parties accountable.
For more information on the Purdue Pharma restructuring, refer to the official Purdue Pharma website.
