Johnson & Johnson puts up $8.9 billion to settle alleged cancer-causing talc lawsuits | Economy

The US pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson exhibited on Tuesday (4) $8.9 billion (45 billion Brazilian reais) to end the lawsuits he faces for selling talc that allegedly causes cancer.

According to a memo from the group, the agreement, which needs court approval, “will fairly resolve all lawsuits” involving talc, which is accused of containing asbestos and causing ovarian cancer.

The agreement, which can extend payments by a subsidiary for 25 years, should “terminate all current and future talc lawsuits,” the statement said. More than 60,000 applicants have accepted the offer, according to the company.

J&J has already proposed a $2 billion settlement in response to accusations that its cosmetic powder causes gynecological cancers.

“The company continues to believe that these claims are misleading and lack a scientific basis,” the legal representative for J&J, which is based in New Jersey, said today.

A Missouri appeals court found that the group “knowingly sold asbestos-containing products to consumers,” causing severe “physical, mental, and emotional distress.”

Although Johnson & Johnson continues to claim innocence, in May 2020 the company announced the end of sales of talc in the United States and Canada.