(AP) Johnson & Johnson stockholders, trying to restore high standards, have reached a tentative settlement in their lawsuit against J&J's board and top executives for allegedly letting serious legal and manufacturing problems continue for years. These lapses include paying kickbacks to boost product sales, marketing drugs for unapproved uses and repeatedly recalling prescription and non-prescription drugs and medical devices due to manufacturing deficiencies, including wrong levels of active ingredients and metal shards in liquid medicines.
J&J denies the plaintiffs' claims, saying it's settling to benefit the company and its shareholders, and to end distracting, expensive litigation.
