State and local officials are reportedly in talks with three major drug distributors on a potential $18 billion settlement of litigation that blames them for helping to fuel the U.S. opioid epidemic. The potential settlement, according to The Wall Street Journal, would require McKesson, AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal Health to collectively pay the $18 billion over 18 years. Drugmaker Johnson & Johnson is also involved in the discussions to pay extra money, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with the discussions. {video} AmerisourceBergen declined to comment. McKesson and Cardinal Health didn’t ... (full story)