States are asking for around $26.4 billion from major pharmaceutical industry players to help pay for damage wrought by the opioid crisis, people familiar with the matter said, the latest demand in yearslong litigation seeking to hold companies accountable for widespread drug addiction. The current talks involve McKesson Corp., AmerisourceBergen Corp. and Cardinal Health Inc., which collectively distribute the majority of pharmaceutical drugs in the country, as well as Johnson & Johnson, which makes some opioid painkillers,...

Source: Wall Street Journal August 18, 2020 09:22 UTC