Shaheen Statement on Landmark Oklahoma Opioid Case

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) issued the following statement in response to a judge’s ruling in Oklahoma requiring Johnson & Johnson to pay the state $572 million for the opioid drug company’s actions that have exacerbated the opioid epidemic:

“Manufacturers of prescription opioids played a significant role in creating and prolonging this health crisis in New Hampshire and across the nation. With more than 2,000 overdose deaths in the past five years in New Hampshire alone, it’s past time there was accountability for their actions. Today’s ruling was an important first step on the road to making sure those most affected will be compensated for the devastating damages sowed by these companies’ actions,” said Shaheen. “As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, fighting for additional federal resources to assist our Granite State communities on the front lines of this epidemic will remain a top priority, and I’ll keep pushing to hold culpable pharmaceutical companies like Johnson & Johnson responsible for their actions.”