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Johnson & Johnson has agreed to a $5.5 billion settlement to resolve thousands of lawsuits alleging its talc-based products caused ovarian cancer, ending a decade-long legal battle.
Mariyam Adheela
J&J stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the US in 2020 and switched to a cornstarch product -- Photo: AP
NEW YORK, USA: Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has agreed to pay an estimated $5.5 billion to settle tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging that its talc-based products, including its popular baby powder, were linked to ovarian cancer.
The proposed settlement covers around 76,000 claims in the United States and aims to bring an end to a legal battle that has continued for more than a decade. The agreement must receive support from at least 95 percent of eligible claimants before it can be finalized.
J&J has repeatedly denied that its talc products caused cancer, saying the claims lack scientific evidence. The company said the settlement was reached to resolve the long-running legal dispute and allow it to focus on its healthcare business.
The lawsuits have been ongoing for years, with thousands of users claiming that J&J’s talc products caused ovarian cancer. The company previously attempted to settle the cases through bankruptcy-related legal strategies, but those efforts were rejected by courts.
Under the new agreement, J&J is expected to make an initial payment of up to $3 billion in 2027, with remaining payments scheduled from 2028 onwards.
