Drug Companies, States Reach $26 Billion Opioid Settlement
Drug wholesalers McKesson, AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal Health will pay $21 billion in compensation over 18 years as part of the deal, and Johnson & Johnson will pay up to $5 billion over nine years and exit the opioid business. Outlets report on how much money some states may get.
The Wall Street Journal:
States Announce $26 Billion Settlement To Resolve Opioid Lawsuits
States unveiled a historic $26 billion settlement with drug companies to resolve thousands of opioid-crisis lawsuits, paving the way for communities across the country to secure a jolt of funding to address an epidemic in painkiller addiction that hasn’t abated. The nation’s three largest drug distributors— McKesson Corp. , AmerisourceBergen Corp. , and Cardinal Health Inc. —and drugmaker Johnson & Johnson have been negotiating the deal for more than two years, but Wednesday’s announcement signifies an important milestone that could clear the way for money to be received by states as soon as early next year. (Randazzo, 7/21)
Stat:
States Reach $26 Billion Deal With Wholesalers, J&J Over Opioid Lawsuits
As part of the settlement, the wholesalers – McKesson (MCK), AmerisourceBergen (ABC) and Cardinal Health (CAH) – will pay up to $21 billion over the next 18 years, while Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) agreed to pay up to $5 billion over nine years and exit the opioid business. More than 40 states are expected to agree to the settlement, according to North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein. Roughly 3,000 lawsuits filed by states, counties, cities, and tribes claimed the wholesalers failed to monitor suspicious shipments. Drug makers were accused of downplaying the risk of addiction to opioid painkillers while simultaneously encouraging doctors to overprescribe the medicines. (Silverman, 7/21)
The Washington Post:
Opioid Companies Reach $26 Billion Settlement To Resolve Lawsuits
The companies have denied wrongdoing. In a joint statement, the distributors said that while they dispute the claims made in lawsuits, the settlement marks a step “toward achieving broad resolution of governmental opioid claims and delivering meaningful relief to communities across the United States.” “The companies remain deeply concerned about the impact the opioid epidemic is having on individuals, families, and communities across the nation and are committed to being part of the solution,” the statement said. (Kornfield and Bernstein, 7/21)
In related news from Indiana, Kentucky and North Carolina —
AP:
Indiana Expected To Get $507 Million From Opioid Settlement
Indiana will receive $507 million as part of a multi-state agreement to settle a lawsuit against opioid distributors designed to bring relief to people struggling with addiction to the drug, officials said Wednesday. Attorney General Todd Rokita said the settlement marks a step forward in efforts to end the opioid epidemic and provide justice to families affected by opioid addiction. (7/22)
Louisville Courier Journal:
Kentucky Could Receive $460 Million From Opioid Litigation Settlement
Kentucky could receive up to $460 million through a proposed $26 billion settlement with three major drug distributors and pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson, who were sued by states in numerous lawsuits over their role in the country's opioid crisis. Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced at a press conference Wednesday his office had 30 days to review the settlement agreement, but expressed confidence it would be accepted. "Rest assured that we will be doing our due diligence to make sure the terms are right for the commonwealth, but we are very optimistic that the settlement will go forward," Cameron said. (Sonka, 7/21)
AP:
AG Stein: NC's Share Of Opioid Settlement Could Be $750M
The state of North Carolina and scores of local governments could receive $750 million combined from a $26 billion proposed national settlement with several opioid producers, Attorney General Josh Stein’s office said. Stein, one of several attorneys general who negotiated the deal and laid out key details Wednesday, said the proposed agreement would go toward countering the opioid epidemic with direct assistance. (7/22)
In other news on the opioid crisis —
Stat:
In Same Hospitals, Black Patients Receive Fewer Opioids Than White Patients
Inequities in health care are pervasive, from access to quality of care, and a new study finds that common opioids such as codeine and morphine are more often prescribed to white patients than to Black patients treated within the same health system. White patients received both more pills and stronger doses, according to the study, published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. In about 90% of the 310 health systems studied, the opioid dose prescribed to white patients was higher than the one prescribed to Black patients. On average, white patients received 36% more pain medication by dosage than Black patients, even though both groups received prescriptions at similar rates. (Lloreda, 7/21)
