NJ To Receive $641M In National Opioid Settlement: Murphy

TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey is set to receive $641 million as part of a massive settlement with opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson and the country's three largest pharmaceutical distributors, Gov. Phil Murphy and Acting Attorney General Matt Platkin announced Friday.

The settlement with J&J, McKesson, Cardinal Health, and AmerisourceBergen will be paid through 2038 and split evenly between the state as well as counties and municipalities, officials said in a release. The settlement will help fund state and local programs focused on treating and combatting the state's opioid epidemic.

"This is a historic moment in our fight to combat the opioid crisis in New Jersey and save lives," Murphy said in a statement. "With these historic funds, we will continue to make critical investments in harm reduction centers, treatment programs, and data-driven strategies to end the overdose crisis."

Settlement agreements between the four companies and thousands of government entities were announced in July. In all, the companies agreed to pay $26 billion to resolve claims nationwide.

New Jersey announced its participation in the opioid settlements in August 2021, and eligible counties and municipalities were given until Jan. 26 to sign on. All 21 counties and 241 relevant municipalities signed on to the settlements, officials said.

J&J, McKesson, Cardinal Health, and AmerisourceBergen formally accepted the settlements last month.