STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: Pharma keeps winning in Washington; J&J faces test as Oklahoma opioid trial wraps up

Hello, everyone, and how are you today? We are doing just fine, thank you, courtesy of a shimmering sun and deliciously cool breeze wafting across the serene Pharmalot campus. An unusual quiet has, in fact, descended upon us, since one short person is sleeping in, another has left for gainful employment, and the official mascot is holding a snoozefest. This leaves us to our usual tasks of brewing cups of stimulation and keeping busy finding interesting developments. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits to help you on your own journey. Have a good one. …

Lawyers for the state of Oklahoma urged a judge to find Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) culpable for the state opioid crisis and make the company pay $17.5 billion to help clean up the damage, the Washington Post writes. State and company lawyers delivered spirited closing arguments that capped the landmark seven-week proceeding — the first state trial in what has become a nationwide effort to recoup money from the drug industry for the cost of the crisis. Judge Thad Balkman is expected to issue a decision near the end of August.

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