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The proposed deal, if approved by enough state and local governments, would resolve the claims of nearly 4,000 entities that have filed lawsuits in federal and state courts against the four companies, according to a press release from the attorney. New York General Letitia James.
The three distributors will collectively pay up to $ 21 billion over the next 18 years.
Johnson & Johnson will pay up to $ 5 billion over nine years, with up to $ 3.7 billion paid in the first three years, the statement said.
The proposed deal would result in court orders requiring Johnson & Johnson to stop selling opioids, fund or provide grants to third parties for the promotion of opioids, and not lobby for opioid-related activities. It would also prohibit sales staff from influencing decisions related to the identification of suspicious opioid orders.
McKesson, Cardinal Health and Amerisource Bergen will need to share their data with an independent clearinghouse. Distributors should report their own shipments and the shipments of other distributors to detect, stop and report suspicious orders.
The three companies issued a joint statement on Wednesday: “Although the companies strongly dispute the allegations at issue in the lawsuit, they believe this resolution will allow the companies to focus their attention and resources on the safe and secure delivery of medicines and drugs. therapies while providing significant results. relief to affected communities, and will also support efforts to reach a comprehensive resolution, ”they said, in part.
Johnson & Johnson released a statement saying it would contribute $ 5 billion to the settlement, depending on how many state and local governments decide to join the deal.
“We recognize that the opioid crisis is an extremely complex public health issue, and we have deep sympathy for all concerned,” said Michael Ullmann, executive vice president and general counsel for Johnson & Johnson. “These regulations will directly support state and local efforts to make meaningful progress in addressing the opioid crisis in the United States. “
New York will specifically receive up to $ 1.25 billion to fund prevention, treatment and recovery programs.
“The many companies that made and distributed opioids across the country did so without caring about life or even the national crisis they were helping to fuel,” said James, the New York attorney general.
In total, fourteen states – New York, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas – participated in reaching the proposed settlement agreement, according to the press release.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro told a news conference, “We have collectively taken on some of the most powerful companies in the world to fight for you,” speaking to families who have lost loved ones to cause of the opioid crisis.
The cases against Mallinckrodt and Rochester Drug Cooperative will proceed separately in the US bankruptcy court.
The trial against the three remaining defendants – Endo Health Solutions, Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and Allergan Finance – is currently ongoing and will continue in state court.
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