Johnson & Johnson Finalizes National Opioid Settlement Agreement

Johnson & Johnson and its US-based Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies announced in a July 21, 2021 press release a nationwide settlement agreement has been finalized to resolve opioid-related claims and litigation in the United States.

This settlement agreement aims to resolve most of the litigation-based claims regarding the past sales of the company’s prescription opioid medications. According to the press release, the agreement isn’t an admission of any liability or wrongdoing, and the company said it will defend against any litigation that the final agreement doesn’t resolve.

The company announced in a previous statement it will contribute up to $5 billion to the settlement. This will depend on how many state and local governments opt into the agreement in the next several months.

According to the July 21, 2021 press release, the company said its the marketing and promotion of prescription opioid medications were appropriate and responsible. Since the US launch, DURAGESIC, NUCYNTA, and NUCYNTA ER accounted for less than 1% of total opioid prescriptions.

Johnson & Johnson no longer sells prescription opioid medications in the US.

Source: Johnson & Johnson