J&J to Pay $40.5 Million in New Hampshire Opioid Settlement

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has entered a settlement deal with the state of New Hampshire to resolve opioid-related claims against the company.

J&J has agreed to pay $40.5 million, averting a trial that was slated to begin on Sept. 7. The company is also banned from selling, manufacturing and promoting opioids in the state.

New Hampshire filed a complaint in 2018 against the company’s subsidiaries Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, alleging that they misrepresented that their opioids were safer than alternatives. Allegations also include misrepresentation of the proprietary opioids being rarely addictive when used for chronic pain.

J&J said the settlement is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing.