Purdue Pharma to dissolve after judge confirms criminal sentence tied to opioid settlement

A federal judge approved a criminal sentence for Purdue Pharma, clearing the final hurdle for a massive settlement that will resolve thousands of lawsuits related to the opioid crisis.

The judge heard emotional impact statements from families who lost loved ones to overdose and individuals affected by addiction, expressing sympathy but ultimately upholding the negotiated settlement.

As a result, Purdue Pharma will be dissolved and replaced by a new entity focused on public benefit by the end of the week, marking a significant step in ending the company's role in the epidemic that has caused over 900,000 deaths in the United States since 1999.