Hunter announces settlement agreement with Teva Pharmaceuticals in ongoing opioid case

Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter announced an $85 million settlement agreement with Israeli-based Teva Pharmaceuticals for its role in fueling the state’s opioid epidemic.

While the terms of the settlement agreement may take up to two weeks to finalize, the money will go to the state once it’s received. The funds will then be used to abate the opioid crisis in Oklahoma. A future announcement containing the specific terms of the agreement will be made at a later date.

The state’s trial against the remaining defendant and nation’s largest drug manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson, is still set for Tuesday in Cleveland County. The case will be heard by Cleveland County District Judge Thad Balkman.

Attorney General Hunter said the team remains focused on the efforts.

“Today’s announcement is a testament to the state’s legal team’s countless hours and resources preparing for this trial and their dedication and resolve to hold the defendants in this case accountable for the ongoing opioid overdose and addiction epidemic that continues to claim thousands of lives each year,” Attorney General Hunter said. “Nearly all Oklahomans have been negatively impacted by this deadly crisis and we look forward to Tuesday, where we will prove our case against Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries.”

Teva is the second defendant group to settle ahead of Tuesday’s trial.

In March, Purdue Pharma settled with the state for $270 million, with the majority of the money going to the Oklahoma State University Center for Wellness and Recovery. 

The university will use the money to fund addiction treatment and research to stem the ongoing addiction epidemic in Oklahoma and nationwide.

The state’s settlement agreement resolves current claims against Teva Pharmaceuticals, USA, Inc., Cephalon, Inc., Watson Laboratories, Inc., Actavis, LLC., and Actavis Pharma, Inc., F/K/A Watson Pharma, Inc.