Washington State Attorney General Secures $149.5 Million Settlement with Johnson & Johnson

Washington State Attorney General Secures $149.5 Million Settlement with Johnson & Johnson Over Opioid Crisis

 Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson has announced a significant settlement of $149.5 million with pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson, concluding a legal battle lasting over four years. The settlement, which is still pending judicial approval, stems from the state’s lawsuit against the company over its alleged role in fueling the opioid addiction crisis.

Key Points:

1. Long-standing Lawsuit:

   • The lawsuit, initiated in 2020 by Washington state’s Democratic attorney general, accused Johnson & Johnson of contributing to the expansion of prescription opioids and misleading doctors and the public about the effectiveness and addiction risks associated with opioids for chronic pain.

2. Settlement Details:

   • The $149.5 million settlement includes provisions for allocating $123.3 million to address the opioid crisis. This involves funding for substance abuse treatment, enhanced access to overdose-reversal drugs, and support services for pregnant women dealing with substance issues. The remaining funds will be allocated to cover litigation costs.

3. Opioid Crisis Context:

   • The settlement comes at a time when opioid overdose deaths in Washington state have more than doubled from 2019 to 2022, reaching 2,048 deaths in 2022.

4. National Opioid Settlements:

   • The pharmaceutical industry, including drugmakers, wholesalers, pharmacy chains, and consultants, has collectively paid over $50 billion to state and local governments to settle claims related to their involvement in the opioid crisis.

5. Usage of Settlement Funds:

   • If approved, the funds from the settlement will be utilized by state and local governments to combat addiction and address the opioid overdose crisis. Approximately $20 million more would be directed toward these efforts compared to a national settlement with Johnson & Johnson in 2021.

6. Johnson & Johnson’s Response:

   • Johnson & Johnson, in a statement, maintained that its actions related to the marketing and promotion of prescription opioid medications were appropriate and responsible. The company highlighted that its fentanyl patch and Nucynta opioid accounted for less than 1% of opioid prescriptions in the state and the U.S.

7. Legislative Distribution:

   • The allocated funds are expected to be distributed by the end of the fiscal year, allowing the Legislature to designate the money during the ongoing legislative session. Half of the funds will go to a state account, while the other half will benefit local governments.

8. Broader Impact:

   • The settlement represents one of the numerous legal actions taken against entities involved in the opioid crisis, aiming to provide financial resources to communities for recovery efforts and addiction prevention.

The multimillion-dollar settlement with Johnson & Johnson reflects ongoing efforts to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for their alleged role in the opioid epidemic. While providing substantial funds to address the crisis, the settlement also underscores the devastating impact of opioid addiction on individuals and communities, emphasizing the need for comprehensive measures to combat the ongoing public health challenge.