Johnson & Johnson, along with three major drug distributors, agreed to pay close to $590 million to the 547 recognized Native American tribes highly affected by the opioid crisis. Johnson & Johnson will pay $150 million over a span of two years and AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson will pay $440 million over a span of six-and-a-half years.
J&J commented that the settlement does not amount to acceptance of wrongdoing. Purdue Pharma’s payment specifics are currently in mediation. Reports show that opioid dependency, abuse, and overdose-related deaths are disproportionately higher in Native American tribes compared to the national average. The money will be used in treating opioid abuse and aftercare.
