J&J Fights Opioid ‘Kingpin’ Label by Noting 1% Market Share

Johnson & Johnson says it was a bit player in Oklahoma’s market for addictive painkillers to fend off the state’s claim that the drugmaker was the “kingpin” of the opioid crisis.

J&J’s products accounted for less than 1% of the total prescribed in the state.

Billions of dollars could be at stake for J&J and its Janssen Pharmaceuticals unit as a state judge is deciding whether the company bears some legal responsibility for the opioid crisis. Closing arguments in the non-jury trial wrapped up on July 15 after six weeks of testimony.

Attorneys watching the legal fight are split on ...