Pharmaceutical companies can pay $ 50 billion for their role in the opioid crisis

Three pharmaceutical distribution companies – AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson Corporation – are in talks to settle with over 2,000 state, local and Native American government powers over their alleged roles in the nationwide opioid crisis, according to the source.

The source told CNN on Thursday that the companies propose to pay a total of $ 18 billion over 18 years, in addition to Johnson & Johnson, who are in talks to contribute another 4 billions of dollars for the settlement.

If an agreement is reached, the source said the settlement will also involve Teva Pharmaceuticals contributing $ 15 billion in drug addiction, plus another $ 14 billion in distribution of these drugs. Teva is one of the largest generic drug manufacturers.

The timing of the hearings is important, as jury selection in several district court cases began Wednesday in the Northern District of Ohio and the trial is set to begin next Monday.