Judge In Opioid Trial Rules Johnson & Johnson Must Pay Oklahoma $572 Million

[steve from amherst]

An Oklahoma judge has ruled that drugmaker Johnson & Johnson helped ignite the state's opioid crisis by deceptively marketing painkillers, and must pay $572 million to the state.

Oklahoma sought $17.5 billion, blaming Johnson & Johnson for fueling the crisis that has claimed the lives of more than 6,000 people in the state.

It's the first ruling to hold a pharmaceutical company responsible for one of the worst drug epidemics in American history.

Judge Thad Balkman delivered his decision from the bench, after presiding over a seven-week civil trial in the college town of Norman, Okla.

"The defendants caused an opioid crisis that is evidenced by increased rates of addiction, overdose deaths and neonatal abstinence syndrome in Oklahoma," Judge Balkman said in a statement.

Johnson & Johnson immediately released a statement saying that the company "plans to appeal the opioid judgment in Oklahoma."

Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter's suit alleged that Johnson & Johnson, through its pharmaceutical subsidiary Janssen, helped ignite a public health crisis that has killed thousands of state residents.

[Woodtick]

When I got a bunch of stitches a few months back, the ER would not right a scrip for pain pills. The doc told me I had to get the scrip from my doctor.  I figured the gig was up for pain med scrips being handed out like candy. I had no problem not getting the pills,I just stopped and picked up some beer.

[Ez ryder]

it will be given a new trial.  that one will be out 3 yrs or more