Johnson & Johnson found guilty of contributing to the opioid epidemic

Oklahoma Judge Thad Balkman ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay the state $572 million for playing down the risks of opioids and overselling the benefits. It was the first trial against a drug manufacturer for its role in the ongoing national opioid epidemic. But there are more than 2000 cases in the works, including a big federal case in Ohio that’s set to go to trial later this year. 

Credits

Guest:

  • Barry Meier - author of "Pain Killer: An Empire of Deceit and the Origin of America's Opioid Epidemic

Host:

Madeleine Brand

Producers:

Sarah Sweeney, Michell Eloy, Amy Ta, Alexandra Sif Tryggvadottir, Rosalie Atkinson, Rebecca Mooney