Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck announced today that all 21 counties in New Jersey, and all 241 municipalities that have populations over 10,000 or that filed related lawsuits, have joined the State in signing onto the nationwide settlement agreements with Johnson & Johnson and the country’s three largest pharmaceutical distributors – McKesson, Cardinal Health, and AmerisourceBergen – to resolve claims involving their roles in fomenting the country’s opioid crisis.
As a result, New Jersey and its counties and municipalities are on track to receive the maximum amount available to the State under the settlements: over $641 million.
Under the settlements, the amount that each state will receive depends on the level of participation among its county and municipal governments that have populations over 10,000 or that have filed lawsuits against the companies.
New Jersey has now achieved 100 percent participation among those counties and municipalities.
New Jersey announced its participation in the settlements in August 2021, and eligible counties and municipalities were given until January 26 to sign on.
During that time, state, county, and local officials have been working together to ensure that New Jersey receives the maximum possible benefit from the settlements, with assistance from the New Jersey State League of Municipalities and New Jersey Association of Counties.
The defendant companies are expected to announce by February 25 whether the deal will go forward, which will depend on whether enough state subdivisions from around the country have signed up.
If all states and eligible subdivisions participate, the agreements will be valued at $26 billion nationwide.
“The opioid crisis has devastated too many New Jersey families, and ending the opioid epidemic continues to be one of my Administration’s highest priorities,” Governor Phil Murphy said.
“The funds received from this settlement will aid critical opioid use disorder and harm reduction resources and programs, which will strengthen our ability to save lives by preventing overdose deaths and connecting New Jerseyans to supports and treatment when they need it most. I am proud that our counties and municipalities from every corner of the state are coming together to tackle the crisis.”