NY AG has ‘no comment’ on whether criminal charges will be pursued against company executives; NC AG predicts ‘north of 40 states’ expected to accept settlement and would then need to convince municipalities to come on board. States with ongoing litigation against manufacturers may opt for jury trial instead. 

In first of what could be similar April-June earnings results from major consumer health firms, J&J reports 9.2% operational growth to $3.74bn in sales. Worldwide consumer health chief Thibaut Mongon touts segment’s results and outlook but says similar growth in second half isn’t assured.

In the latest sign that some multinationals are scaling down operations in the world's second-largest pharma market, Mundipharma is reported to be exploring the sale of its business in China, with a large group of bidders including state-owned Sinopharm and local private equity firm Boyu Capital in the running.

Purdue Pharma has taken a step in its bid to develop and market generic versions of treatments to reverse opioid overdose “at or below cost,” following its filing for bankruptcy.