John Sammon News
Doctor testifying for J&J won’t use the E-word in Oklahoma opioid trial
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – An Oklahoma doctor appearing as a witness for Johnson & Johnson on Wednesday under questioning by state attorneys refused to use the word “epidemic” to describe the state’s opioid crisis, but conceded opioid overdose deaths had gone up in recent years.
At Okla. opioid trial, Janssen sales rep says opioid products good, but state says drugs deadly
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – A sales representative for Janssen Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday told a courtroom his company sold opioid drug products that were safe and effective, while attorneys for the State of Oklahoma contended the company harmed the public for profit.
J&J attorneys bring witness to counter Kolodny in Oklahoma opioid trial
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – Attorneys defending Johnson & Johnson in a trial accusing the company of creating an opioid drug crisis in Oklahoma on Monday brought in an expert witness to counter the testimony of Dr. Andrew Kolodny - a witness the company has alleged is a "de facto" member of the State's legal team.
Janssen says addicts would have struggled to snort its opioids; Nucynta broke coffee grinder during testing
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – A former researcher with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, the drug subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, on Friday said the company’s opioid products were safe if used properly, while attorneys hired by Oklahoma alleged J&J had played loose with the facts.
J&J says it wasn't given chance to prepare for witness called by Oklahoma in opioid trial
NORMAN, Okla, (Legal Newsline) – Attorneys for Johnson & Johnson and its opioid drug manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceutics on June 19 asked Cleveland Country District Court Judge Thad Balkman to decide if the testimony of a Connecticut businessman who founded a nonprofit to fight drug abuse should be allowed as evidence in a trial accusing the companies of creating a drug epidemic.
Janssen defense witness at Oklahoma trial: Opioid drugs safe, effective when used properly
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – An opioid researcher called as a defense expert witness told a courtroom that the opioid medication Duragesic produced by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, had been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because the benefits of the drug outweighed the risk.
J&J points to small number of claims for its opioid products as it defends self in Okla. trial
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) - Attorneys defending Johnson & Johnson made a case on Wednesday that drug abusers and irresponsible doctors share responsibility for an opioid overdose epidemic, while a top state health official repeated her opinion that overzealous J&J officials and sales reps were to blame.
Okla. health official takes stand in opioid trial, says she doesn't remember the year J&J's unbranded marketing began
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – Oklahoma's top health officer told a courtroom on Tuesday that Johnson & Johnson preyed on the state’s citizens to sell opioid prescription drugs for profit, while attorneys for the company challenged the timeline in her head.
J&J wonders why it should foot bill for addicts who never used its opioids
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – The attorney for Johnson & Johnson and its drug subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals on Monday attempted to convince an Oklahoma judge that making the companies pay for a drug crisis, including addicts who never used their products or who used illegal drugs, is unfair.
Oklahoma governor, AG resolve dispute over where $85M from opioid settlement should go
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – An Oklahoma judge announced on Monday agreement has been reached between feuding government officials on how an $85 million settlement with opioid drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Co. would be apportioned.
At Okla. opioid trial, mental health officer walks court through the proposed massive abatement plan
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – An idea of how much money Oklahoma wants to abate the opioid drug epidemic was realized on Friday as a state health officer walked officials through a 65-page list of abatement services she said were needed, collectively projected to cost in the billions.
OSU executive director outlines opioid abatement improvements for Oklahoma campuses
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – In a trial to determine if Johnson & Johnson helped to cause an opioid epidemic, a health officer with the Oklahoma State University in Tulsa on Thursday said the addiction outbreak will cost millions of dollars to alleviate and decades to see major progress..
Oklahoma's case against J&J includes video of baby quivering from opioid withdrawal
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – The State of Oklahoma's evidence in a closely watched opioid trial versus Johnson & Johnson was again emotionally charged on Wednesday, as attorneys hired by the state attorney general showed a video of a baby quivering from opioid withdrawal.
Oklahoma's case turns emotional in opioid trial vs. Johnson & Johnson
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – A Connecticut businessman recounting the heartbreak of his son’s death from drug addiction on Tuesday outlined steps to end the stigma of the disease and to make treatment improvements in a trial to determine if Johnson & Johnson helped cause a prescription opioid epidemic.
J&J's lawyers note opioids researcher being paid hundreds of thousands for testimony in Oklahoma trial
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – Attorneys defending Johnson & Johnson on Monday fended off accusations their client caused an addiction crisis and shifted attention onto Purdue Pharma, while also noting a plaintiffs expert is being paid upward of $500,000 for his testimony.
Oklahoma's governor is worried AG Hunter won't turn $85M opioid settlement over to treasury
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and two high-ranking lawmakers fear that funds from a recent opioid settlement won't head their way and are asking to intervene, claiming Attorney General Mike Hunter's recent $85 million agreement with Teva Pharmaceutical might violate a new state law.
Attorneys for J&J spar with opioids researcher over warning labels during Oklahoma trial
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – Attorneys for Johnson & Johnson on Friday during questioning of a researcher called as a witness by the State attempted to establish that the company’s production of opioid drugs was a government-regulated process with detailed warnings of possible addiction provided.
J&J finally gets chance to question opioids researcher during Oklahoma trial, fights 'kingpin' remark
NORMAN , Okla. (Legal Newsline) – On his third day of testimony, an opioids researcher was cross-examined by attorneys for Johnson & Johnson as the company defends itself from allegations that it is to blame for the nation's addiction crisis.
Oklahoma witness in opioid trial says drug users not to blame for addiction crisis
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – During a second day of testimony, an opioid researcher questioned by private attorneys hired by the State of Oklahoma said opioid sellers like Johnson & Johnson sought to shift blame for a prescription drug epidemic onto those not responsible.
Opioids researcher takes stand to criticize J&J in Oklahoma trial
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – An opioids researcher on Tuesday compared doctors over-prescribing opioids to the breaking of a figurative dam that flooded Oklahoma - and the country - during testimony in an important trial taking place in the state.