On July 23, 2021, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that global settlements had been reached with three major opioid distributors and opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson. Texas, along with a broad coalition of states and subdivisions, had reached final agreements with four companies to resolve legal claims against them for their role in the opioid crisis. One agreement is with the opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson (J&J.) The other is with three major pharmaceutical distributors: AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson.
Financial Terms. The two agreements provide for $26 billion in payments over 18 years, with $23.9 billion available for opioid abatement and significant amounts front loaded. Funding will be distributed to states according to the allocation agreement reached among the Attorneys General. Subdivisions can only participate in the agreement if their state participates. Texas' combined share is almost $1.5 billion: $1.17 billion from the distributors and $268 million from J&J. Distribution within Texas is handled through an intrastate agreement between the state and litigating subdivisions. The funding must be used to support any of a wide variety of strategies to fight the opioid crisis. Separate provisions exist to compensate attorneys who have pursued opioid litigation on behalf of states and local governments. Once the state agrees to participate, then the more subdivisions that join, the more money everyone in Texas will receive. Future opioid litigation may result in suspension and reduction of payments. Even without full resolution of claims, states and subdivisions can still receive substantial payments by resolving a significant portion of current and future claims. Funds received can be used for opioid abatement strategies that treat, mitigate, prevent opioid use as well as recoup costs to respond to the opioid epidemic
Injunctive Terms. Both agreements contain industry-changing injunctive terms. The distributors will be subject to more oversight and accountability, including an independent monitor, to prevent deliveries of opioids to pharmacies where diversion and misuse occur. They will be required to establish and fund an independent clearinghouse to track opioid distribution nationwide and flag suspicious orders. J&J will be prohibited from selling or promoting opioids.