LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Closing arguments are set to begin in Arkansas’ billion-dollar lawsuit against a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary that makes the antipsychotic drug Risperdal.
The state sued Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., accusing the company of downplaying or hiding risks associated with Risperdal.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports (http://is.gd/nPNZR9) that Janssen attorneys rested their case Monday. Defense attorneys said in opening statements there’s no evidence anyone in Arkansas was injured by Risperdal or that the state lost any money because of the drug.
Closing arguments are set for Tuesday.
The state wants a minimum of $1.2 billion in fines for the 250,000 prescriptions issued under its Medicaid program over a 3.5-year period.
In January, Janssen settled with Texas for $158 million in a similar suit but the company did not admit liability or fault.
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Information from: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, http://www.arkansasonline.com.
