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Artigo

22 Jul 2021

Author:
Laura Strickler, NBC News (USA)

USA: 3 major drug distributors and Johnson & Johnson to pay $26 billion to resolve thousands of opioid lawsuits

"4 drug companies agree to pay $26 billion to resolve opioid lawsuits", 20 Jul 2021

Three major drug distributors and the pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson have agreed to a $26 billion settlement with states to resolve thousands of lawsuits over the country's opioid crisis...

The four companies — which also include Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen and McKesson — were accused by states, cities and counties of playing a significant role in funneling a flood of opioid painkillers to communities across the U.S. The drugs led to the overdose deaths of more than 500,000 people from 2009 to 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“This was a person-made crisis," Pennsylvania attorney general Josh Shapiro said at a press conference announcing the settlement. "This epidemic was manufactured by an army of pharmaceutical executives.”

The agreement still requires the approval of more than 40 states and hundreds of cities and counties. Once it is finalized, it would result in billions of dollars' flowing to states to be used for prevention, treatment and recovery...

Under the agreement, the three drug distributors will 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 during the first three years...

The three drug distributors did not respond to requests for comment. They have previously rejected the claims raised in the lawsuits.

Michael Ullmann, the general counsel for Johnson & Johnson, said: "We recognize the opioid crisis is a tremendously complex public health issue, and we have deep sympathy for everyone affected. This settlement will directly support state and local efforts to make meaningful progress in addressing the opioid crisis in the United States."...