Arizona to receive $542M from J&J, drug distributors in milestone opioid settlement

PHOENIX — Arizona will receive $542 million to combat an ongoing epidemic after healthcare company Johnson and Johnson and three other major drug distributors reached a $26 billion settlement for their roles in the opioid crisis.

Settlement funds will be disbursed to the state and its subdivisions through the One Arizona Plan over an 18-year period to aid in treatment, preventative measures and for education, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich said in a press release.

All state counties, cities and towns have signed onto the One Arizona Distribution of Opioid Settlements Funds Agreement, which guarantees the money will be effectively distributed across Arizona.

“We have lost far too many Arizonans to the opioid crisis and many others are still suffering and seeking help on their road to recovery,” Brnovich said in the release.

The settlement made by Johnson & Johnson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson requires that a majority of the funds be used to fight the epidemic.

Disbursement of the money begins April 2, with additional measures set in place, Brnovich said in the release.

Johnson & Johnson has agreed to stop selling prescription opioids, while the other drug distributors will be provided with an independent clearinghouse with aggregated data about where the drugs are going and how often, Brnovich said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story. 

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