West Virginia Reaches , Tentative Settlement With Drugmakers, in Opioid Crisis Trial.<br />On May 25, attorneys for the state of West Virginia reached a tentative $161.5 million settlement with two pharmaceutical manufacturers. .<br />'The Guardian' reports that the deal was <br />reached just as the seven-week trial's <br />closing arguments were scheduled to begin.<br />Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced <br />a tentative deal reached between the state and <br />Teva Pharmaceuticals, AbbVie’s Allergan and related companies.<br />Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced <br />a tentative deal reached between the state and <br />Teva Pharmaceuticals, AbbVie’s Allergan and related companies.<br />According to 'The Guardian,' the judge placed the trial on hold to allow both parties to reach a full settlement agreement in the coming weeks.<br />The original lawsuit accused the defending <br />companies of downplaying the risks of addiction <br />associated with opioid use while emphasizing the benefits.<br />Amid the ongoing opioid crisis, <br />West Virginia has led the nation <br />in total drug overdose deaths.<br />The state reached a $99 million settlement <br />with Johnson & Johnson's subsidiary, <br />Janssen Pharmaceuticals, just last month. .<br />The state reached a $99 million settlement <br />with Johnson & Johnson's subsidiary, <br />Janssen Pharmaceuticals, just last month. .<br />Before that trial even began, <br />Morrisey's office announced another settlement <br />with Endo Health Solutions for $26 million.<br />Before that trial even began, <br />Morrisey's office announced another settlement <br />with Endo Health Solutions for $26 million.<br />Over 3,000 lawsuits have been filed <br />involving the opioid crisis in state <br />and federal courts across the country.<br />Those lawsuits have been brought forth by state <br />and local governments, Native American tribes, <br />unions, hospitals and other entities.
