J&J, Distributors Unveil $26 Billion Opioid Deal With States (2)

Drug maker Johnson & Johnson and three opioid distributors agreed to pay a combined $26 billion to resolve thousands of state and local government lawsuits over the handling of addictive painkillers that created a U.S. public-health crisis.

The landmark deal -- years in the making -- calls for McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Corp. to pay almost $21 billion to resolve allegations they turned a blind eye to suspiciously large opioid shipments, the companies and state attorneys general said Wednesday. J&J will pay $5 billion to settle claims it illegally marketed opioids, which it stopped making last ...