Teva has settled with the state of Rhode Island on opioid-related claims and is set to pay the state $21m in cash and provide $78.5m worth of Narcan and Suboxone. The settlement was reached just as Rhode Island was preparing to take Teva to trial.

J&J and distributors have enough participation from states and subdivisions to move forward with $26bn settlement. The deal, the second largest in US history, may provide a framework for other companies to reach similar agreements. Jury trials remain pending in several states.

New York jury finds that Teva and distributor Anda violated state’s public nuisance law in their marketing and distribution of opioids. Such claims had been rejected by two previous courts and the verdict in this case shows the challenges companies face in ongoing litigation.

Debt-fueled acquisitions helped Teva, Shire and Allergan report well-received fourth-quarter earnings. But sector circumstances have changed since 2016 and the ability to grow by debt-funded acquisition is now severely restricted.