Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Landmark $26 Billion Opioid Deal Finalized With J&J, Distributors
Stat: J&J, Three Pharma Wholesalers Finalize $26 Billion Opioid Crisis Settlement
Johnson & Johnson and three major pharmaceutical wholesalers have finalized nationwide settlements over their role in the opioid crisis, paving the way to distribute $26 billion to numerous state and local governments across the country. The settlement is the largest so far among many lawsuits filed by communities seeking compensation for the decades-long expenses of coping with the fallout from addiction to opioid painkillers. J&J, AmerisourceBergen (ABC), Cardinal Health (CAH), and McKesson (MCK) agreed to the deal last year, but payouts have been contingent on getting participation from a majority of state and local governments. (Silverman, 2/25)
Reuters: Drug Distributors, J&J Agree To Finalize $26 Bln Opioid Settlement
The deal aims to resolve around 3,000 lawsuits by state and local governments seeking to hold the companies responsible for an opioid abuse crisis that has led to hundreds of thousands of overdose deaths in the United States over the last two decades. read more. The distributors and J&J in separate statements on Friday confirmed they had determined there was "sufficient" participation to move forward with the settlement, which was first announced in July. They are not admitting wrongdoing. (Raymond, 2/25)
AP: Illinois Expects $760 Million From Opioid Settlement+
Illinois is expected to receive $760 million as part of a settlement with pharmaceutical distributors sued for their role in the opioid crisis, the state attorney general announced Friday. Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office said the state’s share of a $26 billion opioid settlement agreement is the result of three years of talks. The majority of the state’s award will be used for programs around the state aimed at prevention and recovery from opioid addiction. (2/27)
Durham Herald Sun: ‘Tragedy Beyond Words’: 1st Payments From National Opioid Settlement Coming To NC Soon
North Carolina will start seeing payments in just a few months from the $750 million it will receive in a national settlement finalized with four major pharmaceutical companies over their role in the opioid crisis, Attorney General Josh Stein said Friday. (Bajpai, 2/26)
AP: Kentucky AG: Opioid Settlement Will Help Heal Communities
Attorney General Daniel Cameron says Kentucky will receive $483 million from nationwide settlements with four companies over their roles in the opioid addiction crisis. Cameron said Friday that the money will help heal communities ravaged by opioids. The state has the framework in place to distribute its share of settlement money. (2/28)
Fox 13: Utah To Receive $266 Million In Opioid Settlement
Utah will receive $266 million, as it was one of the 52 states and territories involved in the agreement. Twenty-seven of Utah's counties also signed onto the agreement, according to an announcement made Friday by Attorney General Sean Reyes. (2/25)
