DRUG 'MENACE'

Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical giant ordered to pay £470MILLION after judge rules it fuelled deadly ‘opiate crisis’ in US state

A US judge last night ordered pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson to pay £470MILLION for fuelling a deadly "opiate crisis".

Oklahoma District Judge Thad Balkman agreed J&J may have been responsible for some of the 6,000 painkiller overdoses in the state since 2000.

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 Oklahoma District Judge Thad Balkman ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay £470million to the state for what he ruled was its role in fuelling a deadly opiate crisisCredit: AP:Associated Press
, J&J said that it operates lawfully as part of a heavily regulated industry.

Sabrina Strong, an attorney for Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries, said the companies have sympathy for those who suffer from substance abuse - but called the judge's decision "flawed."

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She added: "You can't sue your way out of the opioid abuse crisis. Litigation is not the answer."

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Oklahoma previously reached a $270 million settlement with Oxycontin-maker Purdue Pharma.

And they agreed an $85 million deal with Israeli-owned Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Johnson & Johnson said it would appeal the ruling at Oklahoma's Supreme CourtCredit: EPA
Oklahoma state attorneys look at documents during the landmark ruling on MondayCredit: AP:Associated Press
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Johnson & Johnson is well known for its household products like cotton budsCredit: Bernard Ashton - The Sun
Investigation shows Johnson & Johnson 'knew for decades' that cancer-causing asbestos was in its Baby Powder

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