US drug firms say $26bn opioid settlement will proceed
Distributors say 42 states, five territories and Washington have signed on to deal resolving claims they fuelled opioid epidemic
05 September 2021 - 18:54
byNate Raymond
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Three large US drug distributors and drugmaker Johnson & Johnson (J&J) will proceed with a proposed $26bn settlement resolving claims that they fuelled the opioid epidemic after “enough” states joined in, the companies said.
The companies had until Saturday to decide whether enough states back the $21bn proposed settlement with McKesson Corporation, AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal Health and a $5bn agreement with J&J.
The distributors said 42 states, five territories and Washington, DC, signed on to their agreement.
Alabama, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Washington, West Virginia are not participating in the settlement, a person familiar with the matter said. New Hampshire agreed to settle only with the distributors, while Rhode Island joined only J&J’s deal, the person said.
The companies will make their first annual settlement payment into escrow on or before September 30, the distributors said. The final amount will depend on several factors, including the final participation rate of states and political subdivisions, they added.
North Carolina attorney-general Josh Stein, a lead settlement negotiator, called the support level a “remarkable showing of unity and commitment across the country to address this problem”.
The settlement’s complex formula envisioned at least 44 states participating, but ultimately the companies got to decide whether a “critical mass” had joined and whether to finalise the deal.
Cities and counties within participating states have until January 2 to join as well. Ultimately, $10.7bn is tied to the extent localities participate.
The deal, unveiled by 14 state attorneys-general on July 21, is designed to resolve more than 3,000 lawsuits accusing the distributors of ignoring red flags that pain pills were being diverted into communities for illicit uses and that J&J played down the risks of opioid addiction.
The money would fund treatment and other services.
The companies deny wrongdoing, saying the drugs were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and that responsibility for ballooning painkiller sales lies with doctors, regulators and others.
The deal is separate from a settlement resolving similar claims against OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and its Sackler family owners. A bankruptcy judge on Wednesday approved that deal, which Purdue values at more than $10bn.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
US drug firms say $26bn opioid settlement will proceed
Distributors say 42 states, five territories and Washington have signed on to deal resolving claims they fuelled opioid epidemic
Three large US drug distributors and drugmaker Johnson & Johnson (J&J) will proceed with a proposed $26bn settlement resolving claims that they fuelled the opioid epidemic after “enough” states joined in, the companies said.
The companies had until Saturday to decide whether enough states back the $21bn proposed settlement with McKesson Corporation, AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal Health and a $5bn agreement with J&J.
The distributors said 42 states, five territories and Washington, DC, signed on to their agreement.
Alabama, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Washington, West Virginia are not participating in the settlement, a person familiar with the matter said. New Hampshire agreed to settle only with the distributors, while Rhode Island joined only J&J’s deal, the person said.
The companies will make their first annual settlement payment into escrow on or before September 30, the distributors said. The final amount will depend on several factors, including the final participation rate of states and political subdivisions, they added.
North Carolina attorney-general Josh Stein, a lead settlement negotiator, called the support level a “remarkable showing of unity and commitment across the country to address this problem”.
The settlement’s complex formula envisioned at least 44 states participating, but ultimately the companies got to decide whether a “critical mass” had joined and whether to finalise the deal.
Cities and counties within participating states have until January 2 to join as well. Ultimately, $10.7bn is tied to the extent localities participate.
The deal, unveiled by 14 state attorneys-general on July 21, is designed to resolve more than 3,000 lawsuits accusing the distributors of ignoring red flags that pain pills were being diverted into communities for illicit uses and that J&J played down the risks of opioid addiction.
The money would fund treatment and other services.
The companies deny wrongdoing, saying the drugs were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and that responsibility for ballooning painkiller sales lies with doctors, regulators and others.
The deal is separate from a settlement resolving similar claims against OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and its Sackler family owners. A bankruptcy judge on Wednesday approved that deal, which Purdue values at more than $10bn.
Reuters
Sackler family will not settle without liability shields in opioid suit
Pharmacies likely to be the next target for opioid settlements
J&J mulls shifting liabilities from baby powder suits to new company
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
McKinsey to pay $550m settlement over marketing advice to opioid drugmakers
US government sues Walmart for alleged role in driving opioid crisis
Opioid maker Purdue reaches $8bn settlement to end probe
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.