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Drug-makers open talks with DeWine on opioid settlement

The Columbus Dispatch: The office of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine began discussions Wednesday in hopes of reaching a settlement with some of the drug manufacturers the state is suing over claims they irresponsibly promoted and sold addictive opioids.

State lawyers met with representatives of Johnson & Johnson and Teva to discuss settling the state lawsuit and obtaining funds to help expand education and treatment options amid the state’s still-expanding opioid fatal overdose crisis, DeWine said.

The state anticipates further meetings and hopes to also meet with other drug manufacturers and distributors, DeWine said.

DeWine’s office sued five drug manufacturers in Ross County Common Pleas Court on May 31. His office still is considering whether to sue distributors, such as Dublin-based Cardinal Health.

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