Oklahoma judge orders Johnson & Johnson to pay $572M in opioid suit – let our experts help with your coverage.

Aug 28, 2019

1 min

Justin Cole

It was a historic decision yesterday that may play a role in America’s opioid crisis.


"On Monday, Cleveland County Judge Thad Balkman made his judgment in the lawsuit brought by the Oklahoma attorney general against the company for what the state alleges it did to fuel the U.S. opioid crisis.


In reading out his settlement decision, Balman said that "the opioid crisis has ravaged the state of Oklahoma." The nine-figure settlement, while hefty, pales in comparison to what the attorney general's office originally asked for, as they reportedly asked for in excess of $17 billion in damages.” August 26 – ABC News


  • But what will this decision mean for the future of big-pharma?
  • What will the money go to?
  • Can or should companies be held accountable for addictions?


There are a lot of questions and logistics still to be figured out and if you are a reporter covering this lawsuit – let our experts help.


Dr. Marc Sweeney is the Founding Dean of the School of Pharmacy at Cedarville University and is an expert in the fields of drug abuse, prescription drug abuse and Opioid addiction. Justin Cole is an expert in clinical pharmacy, Pharmacogenomics, and the pharmacy industry. Marc and Justin and has been following this issue closely and is available to speak with media. Simply click on their icons to arrange an interview with either Marc or Justin.



Connect with:
Justin Cole

Justin Cole

Director of the Center for Pharmacy Innovation

Dr. Cole is an expert in pediatrics, pharmacy innovation, interprofessional care, and pharmacy practice advancement.

NeurologyPharmacyClinical PharmacyPediatricsPharmacy Innovation

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from Cedarville University

2 min

Three Year Anniversary of Ukraine War

Three years ago, this Monday, Russian troops invaded Ukraine expecting a a quick victory. This invasion has incited Europe's largest conflict since WWII, taking tens of thousands of lives, destruction of countless cities, and the isolation of Russia. Despite this, Putin appears closer to taking a fifth of Ukraine's territory and preventing it's membership. President Trump broke the three year long policy of isolating Russia by working with Putin to work together to end the war. President Trump's explicit support for Russia's demand against Ukraine's NATO membership reveals a shift in U.S. policy. How will President's Trump's relationship with Putin shift U.S. policy? Despite majority of the West and Ukraine seeing Russia's invasion as an unprovoked act of aggression, Putin continues to insists it's necessity for Russia's security and protection of citizens in Ukraine. In 2023 Russia momentum with offensives across a 1,000kilometer front, securing necessary territorial gains. How does the progression of Russia's invasion effect it's image for American citizens?  In response to the invasion, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy demanded Russia's retreat as a condition to talk. President Zelensky emphasizes Ukrainians need for support from the West; while stressing Ukraine goal to join NATO. How will the shift of support affect Ukraine mission to join NATO? Putin refuses a truce, hoping to weaken the Ukrainian government through a contentious election. Ukraine argues elections are not possible during war times. Putin refuses to accept international peacekeeping forces, remain confident in Russia ability to achieve its goal without negotiation with Ukraine. How will Putin's refusal to find a truce affect Russia and Ukraine's role in the war? Dr. Duerr is an expert on this subject and is available to speak to media regarding this ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the ongoing the war between Israel and Hamas – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview. Or schedule an interview by contacting Mark Weinstein at mweinstein@cedarville.edu

2 min

Who will be the Canadian Prime Minister's Successor

On January 6th, 2025 Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau announced his intentions of stepping down. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has be leading the Liberal Party of Canada for the past 12 years. Since his announcement of resignation there has been many prominent individuals stepping up to enter the race of being his successor. In Canada's political system the leader of the largest party in the House of Commons will act as primer minister. The successor of  Mr. Trudeau’s role as party leader will then go to general elections against the leader of the Conservative party. Elections must be held no later than October. What will the change in Prime Ministers look like for the future of Canada's government.  International relations expert, Dr. Glen Duerr, has been a reliable source on the events occurring in the Canada. Here are three valuable insights from a recent interview Earning the vote to be Prime Minister Trudeau's successor is not a guarantee of permanently keeping the role of Prime Minister. Once Canada's Liberal Party elects their candidate to replace Trudeau they will run against the leader of Conservative Party, Pierre Poilievre, in a general election. The winner of this election will then maintain the role of Prime Minister. How will the general election impact the Liberal Party?  Recently Conservatives and the leader of the party has been dominating public opinion polls. Experts believe that the vote in the House of Commons will cause a drastic shift in the government under a new prime minister long before the general election. Will the shift in popular opinion end the over decade long rule of the Liberal Party? Prime Minister Trudeau explains the Liberal Party will be choosing his successor through votes by the parties members, which has become a minority in Canada's population. Successor candidates include: Chrystia Freeland, Mark Carney, Karina Gould. All of whom have had a succesful political career in the Liberal Party, serving under Primer Minister Trudeau. Are these candidates enough to keep the decade long power in the Liberal party?  If you are a journalist covering the change in Canada's leadership, look no further than our experts for valuable insight and expert knowledge. Dr. Duerr is an expert on this subject and is available to speak to media regarding Canadian politics– simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

2 min

What does the Israel-Hamas ceasefire mean

After 15 months of war Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced Wednesday, January 15, his in the process of receiving approval for ceasefire from his security Cabinet in order to further the truce with Hamas. This ceasefire is not only expected to stop a war that has taken more that 46,500 lives, but also the phased release of dozens of American hostages and hundreds of Palestinians. Reports reveal that the ceasefire may be in effect by the end of the week. How will American citizens respond to what appears to be a resolution to the conflict in the middle east?  International relations expert, Dr. Glen Duerr, has been a reliable source on the events occurring in the Middle East. Here are three valuable insights from a recent interview: Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs the support from his security and full Cabinet to receive approval on will be a roughly six-week initial ceasefire phase. The Israel Supreme Court has up to 24 hours to approve The Prime Minister's ceasefire. It is estimated that the ceasefire will take full affect Sunday. What can we expect in the Middle East during the wait of the ceasefire? It was announced that there will be an emergency cabinet meeting held tomorrow renegotiating the deal after Prime Minister Netanyahu's office accused Hamas on reneging on part of the of the ceasefire. However a Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri denied all accusations of Hamas reneging on the terms of the ceasefire. Is the conflict and delay of the ceasefire a prediction to the conflict that is to come? The first stage of the ceasefire will take about 6 weeks, allowing the phased release of American and Palestinian citizens. Hamas is expected to release at least 2 American citizens during the first phase and a a Senior administration official during the second phase. It is expected with each hostage released by Hamas a number of Palestinian detainees will be released. How will the phased release of Hamas hostages affect the culture of Americans?  If you are a journalist covering the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, look no further than our experts for valuable insight and expert knowledge. Dr. Duerr is an expert on this subject and is available to speak to media regarding this ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the ongoing the war between Israel and Hamas – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview. Or schedule an interview by contacting Mark Weinstein at mweinstein@cedarville.edu

View all posts