|
 J&J said the subpoenas were related to anti-diversion policies and
procedures and the distribution of its opioid medications developed
by its Janssen pharmaceuticals unit.
The company said in the filing it believes the investigation relates
to monitoring and reporting programs by manufacturers and
distributors of opioids under the Controlled Substances Act.
"Like other companies that have manufactured opioid medications,
Janssen has received subpoenas and investigative demands from
various government entities, and this includes the August 2019
subpoena from the United States Attorneys Office for the Eastern
District of New York," the company said in a statement emailed to
Reuters.
J&J said it understands the subpoenas are part of a "broader,
industry-wide investigation" and said the company believes its
anti-diversion policies and procedures complied with the law.
Johnson & Johnson last week lowered its previously reported
third-quarter profit to account for a proposed $4 billion cash
settlement related to the opioid crisis.
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That followed a Reuters report citing sources that drug distributors
McKesson Corp <MCK.N>, AmerisourceBergen Corp<ABC.N> and Cardinal
Health <CAH.N> had offered to pay $18billion in cash over 18 years,
while J&J would pay $4 billion in cash.
The drug industry faces roughly 2,600 lawsuits brought bystate and
local governments, hospitals and other entities seeking to hold
drugmakers and distributors responsible for the toll of opioid
abuse.
In August, an Oklahoma judge ordered J&J to pay $572.1 million to
the state for its part in fueling an opioid epidemic, a sum that was
substantially less than investors had expected.
(Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen; Editing by Tom Brown)
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