By Dietrich Knauth

(Reuters] – A U.S. appeals court judge appeared reluctant Friday to restore a legal defense that would shield the Purdue Pharma family from lawsuits relating to OxyContin. The prescription drug is a crucial part of ending Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy.

A member of the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, hearing Purdue’s argument before it was heard by three judges, described precedents cited in the case as “a flimsy boat.”

Purdue must get the court involved in restoring the legal defense to enable it to implement its bankruptcy exit plans.

Plan will pay $6 billion, which was contributed by Sacklers as a legal shield. It is intended to resolve thousands of lawsuits that were filed against Sacklers over allegedly starting a nationwide epidemic.

The Office of the U.S. On Friday, the Office of U.S. Trustee was still to make its case against the legal protection being reactivated.