Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay US $572M for its part in fuelling America's opioid painkiller addiction

A judge in Oklahoma has ruled Johnson & Johnson must pay US $572m for its part in fuelling America's opioid painkiller addiction crisis.

The company said immediately after the judgement that it would appeal.

The case was the first to go to trial out of thousands of lawsuits filed against opioid makers and distributors.

Earlier this year, Oklahoma settled with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma for $270m and Teva Pharmaceutical for $85m, leaving Johnson & Johnson  as the lone defendant.

Judge Thad Balkman said prosecutors had demonstrated that Johnson & Johnson  contributed to a "public nuisance" in its deceptive promotion of highly addictive prescription painkillers.

The Judge says those actions compromised the health and safety of thousands of Oklahomans adding the payment would be used to treat opioid addicts.

[Source:BBC]

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