On Air: Why Big Pharma Had To Pay $1.8 Billion

Feb 09, 2024

Jeffrey B. Simon, trial attorney and author of the book ‘Last Rights: The Fight to Save the Seventh Amendment.’ Discusses the $1.8 billion settlement from Johnson & Johnson related to opioids, and the role of Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family in the opioid epidemic. Diving into the larger issue of the dismantling of the civil justice system and the impact of tort reform. The conversation concludes with personal insights from Simon on advice, his first job, and personal views on life.

Takeaways
– The $1.8 billion settlement from Johnson & Johnson highlights the harm caused by the overprescription and misleading promotion of opioids. – Purdue Pharma, owned by the Sackler family, is accused of starting the prescription opioid epidemic by overpromoting OxyContin as less addictive and more effective than it actually is.
– The bankruptcy process and the settlement with Purdue Pharma raise questions about the accountability of the Sackler family and the use of bankruptcy protections. – The civil justice system has been undermined by legislative initiatives and tort reform, which favor corporations over consumer rights and public safety.