McKesson says states seek $21 billion from drug distributors in opioid settlement

Although they deny any wrongdoing, McKesson said it and rival distributors AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal Health are now facing $21 billion in settlement costs for their alleged role in the U.S. opioid crisis. The amount is up from $18 billion the three companies were expected to pay under a 2019 proposal, which received pushback that sparked a new round of negotiations with state attorney generals. Under current talks, McKesson said its share of the payment would be about $8 million over 18 years. The drug distribution firms also would have to enhance their anti-diversion programs. Johnson & Johnson, meanwhile, said last month that it now will contribute $5 billion—$1 billion more than it had negotiated last year. The settlement, which McKesson says is far from being finalized, would resolve thousands of lawsuits that accuse manufacturers of deceptively marketing opioids and distributors of turning a blind eye to signs that the drugs were being diverted for misuse.