Commitments, Contingent Liabilities and Litigation |
12 Months Ended |
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Jun. 30, 2026 | |
| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Commitments, Contingent Liabilities and Litigation | 7. Commitments, Contingent Liabilities, and Litigation Commitments Generic Sourcing Venture with CVS Health In July 2014, we established Red Oak Sourcing, LLC ("Red Oak Sourcing"), a U.S.-based generic pharmaceutical sourcing venture with CVS Health for an initial term of 10 years. Red Oak Sourcing negotiates generic pharmaceutical supply contracts on behalf of its participants. In August 2021, we amended our agreement to extend the term through June 2029. We are required to make quarterly payments to CVS Health for the term of the arrangement. Contingencies New York Opioid Stewardship Act In 2018, the State of New York adopted the Opioid Stewardship Act (the "OSA"), which created an aggregate $100 million annual assessment on all manufacturers and distributors that was assessed based on each manufacturer or distributor's share of the total morphine milligram equivalents sold or distributed in New York, the applicability of which was ultimately limited to two years (2017 and 2018). Since fiscal 2021, we have made certain payments to New York State for our portion of the assessment. However, we, and other distributors, challenged the OSA as unconstitutional. In May 2024, the New York Appellate Division held that the 2017 assessment was unconstitutionally retroactive, directing a refund of assessments paid for calendar year 2017, but upheld the 2018 assessment. In fiscal 2025, both parties agreed to a final settlement and in December 2025, we received payment and recognized a gain of $17 million in SG&A expenses in our consolidated statements of earnings. Legal Proceedings We become involved from time to time in disputes, litigation, and regulatory matters. From time to time, we determine that products we distribute, source, manufacture, or market do not meet our specifications, regulatory requirements, or published standards. While we investigate and take appropriate action when we or a regulatory agency identify a potential quality or regulatory issue, there is no assurance that the issue will be resolved to the satisfaction of the regulator. Such actions have led to product recalls, costs to repair or replace affected products, temporary interruptions in product sales, restrictions on importation, product liability claims and lawsuits, and can lead to action by regulators. Even absent an identified regulatory or quality issue or product recall, we can become subject to product liability claims and lawsuits. From time to time, we become aware through employees, internal audits or other parties of possible compliance matters, such as complaints or concerns relating to accounting, internal accounting controls, financial reporting, auditing, or other ethical matters or relating to compliance with laws such as healthcare fraud and abuse, anti-corruption, or anti-bribery laws. When we become aware of such possible compliance matters, we investigate and take appropriate corrective action. In addition, from time to time, we receive subpoenas or requests for information from various federal or state agencies relating to our business or to the business of a customer, supplier, or other industry participants. Internal investigations, subpoenas, or requests for information could directly or indirectly lead to the assertion of claims or the commencement of legal proceedings against us or result in corrective actions or sanctions. We have been named from time to time in qui tam actions initiated by private third parties. In such actions, the private parties purport to act on behalf of federal or state governments, allege that false claims have been submitted for payment by the government and may receive an award if their claims are successful. After a private party has filed a qui tam action, the government must investigate the private party's claim and determine whether to intervene in and take control over the litigation. These actions may remain under seal while the government makes this determination. If the government declines to intervene, the private party may nonetheless continue to pursue the litigation on his or her own purporting to act on behalf of the government. We accrue for contingencies related to disputes, litigation, and regulatory matters if it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Because these matters are inherently unpredictable and unfavorable developments or resolutions can occur, assessing contingencies is highly subjective and requires judgments about future events. We regularly review contingencies to determine whether our accruals and related disclosures are adequate. The amount of ultimate loss may differ from these estimates. We recognize income from the favorable outcome of litigation when we receive the associated cash or assets. We recognize estimated loss contingencies for certain litigation and regulatory matters and income from favorable resolution of litigation in litigation (recoveries)/charges, net in our consolidated statements of earnings; however, losses and recoveries of lost profits from certain disputes that occur in the ordinary course of business are included within segment profit. Opioid Lawsuits and Investigations As of June 30, 2026, we have $4.3 billion accrued for the opioid-related matters described below, of which $468 million is included in other accrued liabilities and the remainder is included in deferred income taxes and other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. During fiscal 2026 and 2025, we made payments totaling $417 million and $798 million, respectively, which included our annual payments under the agreement to settle the vast majority of the opioid lawsuits filed by states and local governmental entities and payments related to the settlement agreement with the City of Baltimore and classes of third-party payors and acute care hospitals in fiscal 2025. During fiscal 2026 and 2025, there were no material expenses recognized for these matters. States & Political Subdivisions We have now resolved, without admitting liability, the opioid-related claims of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 5 U.S. territories. The NOSA also resulted in the resolution of the opioid-related claims of over 99 percent of political subdivisions (together, the "Settling Governmental Entities"). Through July 2026, we have paid the Settling Governmental Entities approximately $2.6 billion and we expect to pay Settling Governmental Entities additional amounts up to $3.7 billion through 2038. In July 2022, a judgment in favor of the Distributors was entered in a bench trial before a federal judge in West Virginia in a case brought by Cabell County and City of Huntington. In October 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit vacated the district court's judgment and remanded the case for further proceedings. In May 2026, the parties submitted additional briefing to the district court and a ruling is pending. We intend to continue to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter. Private Plaintiffs The NOSA does not address claims by private parties, which includes unions and other health and welfare funds, hospital systems and other healthcare providers, businesses, and individuals alleging personal injury. To date, there are approximately 73 lawsuits brought by private plaintiffs pending. Of these, approximately 13 are purported class actions. The causes of action asserted by these plaintiffs are similar to those asserted by public plaintiffs. We are vigorously defending ourselves in all these matters. Following resolution discussions with certain private plaintiffs during the six months ended December 31, 2024, Distributors finalized agreements with classes of third-party payors and acute care hospitals. Our portion of these settlements totaled $213 million. The settlement with the class of third-party payors was approved by the court in January 2025 and was finalized in August 2025. The settlement with the class of acute care hospitals was approved by the court in March 2025 and became final in April 2025. Insurance Litigation We are involved in ongoing legal proceedings with insurers related to their obligations to reimburse us for defense and indemnity costs in connection with the lawsuits described above, including a matter that is currently pending in Ohio state court. An unfavorable outcome in this matter may result in a change in loss reserves related to opioid litigation recorded by our captive insurance company, which would negatively impact cash flow. During fiscal 2026, we received $5 million insurance recoveries related to opioid matters, which were recorded in the Pharma segment. During fiscal 2025, we received $25 million in insurance recoveries related to opioid matters, $12 million of the recoveries from our insurers were recorded in the Pharma segment. We have not recorded a receivable for any additional recoveries related to these insurance litigation matters as of June 30, 2026. Department of Justice Civil Investigative Demand In November 2023, we received a Civil Investigative Demand ("CID") from the Department of Justice focused on potential violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Act in connection with a 2022 transaction in which we purchased a minority ownership interest in a rheumatology managed services organization and a group purchasing organization. We are cooperating with this investigation. Cordis IVC Filter Matters We have been named as a defendant in product liability lawsuits involving claims by plaintiffs that allege personal injuries associated with the use of IVC filter products. These lawsuits sought a variety of remedies, including unspecified monetary damages. We have entered into settlement agreements resolving the claims of approximately 6,845 implantees, representing the vast majority of IVC product liability claims, for $448 million in total. These settlements did not resolve all current or possible IVC filter product liability claims. As of August 6, there are nine pending claims outstanding, and it is possible that additional claims will be filed in the future. We intend to continue to vigorously defend ourselves in the remaining lawsuits. At June 30, 2026, we have a total of $29 million accrued for losses and legal defense costs, included in the qualified settlement fund, related to the IVC filter product liability lawsuits in our consolidated balance sheets. Tax Contingencies Net Operating Loss Carryback In June 2026, we received a Notice of Proposed Adjustment ("NOPA") from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") as part of our 2015-2020 audit cycle. The NOPA relates to our captive insurance company and the treatment of certain net operating loss carrybacks under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The IRS is challenging the tax deductibility of self-insurance pre-tax losses and related carryback claims to fiscal 2015-2018, which could result in approximately $400 million in additional tax expense (plus interest) and approximately $1.4 billion in additional tax liability (plus interest). We routinely assess the likelihood of adverse audit outcomes to ensure adequate tax reserves, and we believe our reserves are sufficient for all tax matters. However, the ultimate outcome is uncertain. If the IRS prevails, the assessed tax would impact our financial results and cash flow. Patient Recovery Restructuring In February 2026, we received a NOPA from the IRS, as part of our ongoing audits of fiscal years 2015-2020, related to a restructuring in connection with our July 2017 acquisition of the Patient Recovery business. The IRS is asserting that the transaction should be recharacterized in a manner that could create additional federal income tax liability of approximately $160 million, plus interest. We routinely assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from audits and examinations to determine the adequacy of our tax reserves and we believe we have adequate reserves for all tax matters; however, the ultimate outcome of disputes of this nature is uncertain and if the IRS were to prevail on its assertions in connection with this matter, the assessed tax and deficiency interest would impact our financial results and cash flow. Antitrust Litigation Proceeds We recognized income for net recoveries in class action antitrust lawsuits in which we were a class member or plaintiff of $24 million, $171 million, and $117 million during fiscal 2026, 2025, and 2024, respectively.
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