Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 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.