Trial still set for Tuesday against world’s largest drug maker, Johnson & Johnson
OKLAHOMA
CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter today announced an $85 million
settlement agreement with Israeli-based Teva Pharmaceuticals for its
role in fueling the state’s opioid epidemic.
While the terms of
the settlement agreement may take up to two weeks to finalize, the money
will go to the state once it’s received. The funds will then be used to
abate the opioid crisis in Oklahoma. A future announcement containing
the specific terms of the agreement will be made at a later date.
The
state’s trial against the remaining defendant and nation’s largest drug
manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson, is still set for Tuesday in
Cleveland County. The case will be heard by Cleveland County District
Judge Thad Balkman.
Attorney General Hunter said the team remains focused on Tuesday.
“Today’s
announcement is a testament to the state’s legal team’s countless hours
and resources preparing for this trial and their dedication and resolve
to hold the defendants in this case accountable for the ongoing opioid
overdose and addiction epidemic that continues to claim thousands of
lives each year,” Attorney General Hunter said. “Nearly all Oklahomans
have been negatively impacted by this deadly crisis and we look forward
to Tuesday, where we will prove our case against Johnson & Johnson
and its subsidiaries.”
Teva is the second defendant group to settle ahead of Tuesday’s trial.
In
March, Purdue Pharma settled with the state for $270 million, with the
majority of the money going to the Oklahoma State University Center for
Wellness and Recovery. The university will use the money to fund
addiction treatment and research to stem the ongoing addiction epidemic
in Oklahoma and nationwide.
The state’s settlement agreement
resolves current claims against Teva Pharmaceuticals, USA, Inc.,
Cephalon, Inc., Watson Laboratories, Inc., Actavis, LLC., and Actavis
Pharma, Inc., F/K/A Watson Pharma, Inc.
