News/Events

Arkansas to receive $1.7 million

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today announced she has joined 45 attorneys general to reach a $120 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson and its wholly-owned subsidiary DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. to settle allegations that DePuy unlawfully promoted its metal-on-metal hip implant devices. Arkansas will receive $1.7 million in the settlement.

“Today’s settlement helps to ensure that doctors and patients have necessary and accurate information when considering implant options,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Surgeons who implant devices like these metal-on-metal hip replacement systems need to have the most up-to-date information concerning patient outcomes.”

The Attorneys General allege that DePuy engaged in deceptive practices in its promotion of the ASR XL and Pinnacle Ultamet hip implant devices by making misleading claims as to the longevity, also known as survivorship, of metal-on-metal hip implants. DePuy advertised that the ASR XL hip implant had a survivorship of 99.2% at three years when the National Joint Registry of England and Wales reported a 7% revision rate at three years. Similarly, DePuy promoted the Pinnacle Ultamet as having a survivorship of 99.8% and 99.9% survivorship at five years when the National Joint Registry of England and Wales reported a 2.2% three year revision rate in 2009 increasing to a 4.28% five year revision rate in 2012.

Some patients who required hip implant revision surgery to replace a failed implant experienced persistent groin pain, allergic reactions, tissue necrosis, as well as a build-up of metal ions in the blood. The ASR XL was recalled from the market in 2010. DePuy discontinued its sale of the Pinnacle Ultamet in 2013.

As part of the settlement, DePuy has agreed to reform how it markets and promotes its hip implants, including:

• Advertised claims of survivorship, stability or dislocations will be based on scientific information and the most recent dataset available from a registry for any DePuy hip implant device.
• Maintain a post market surveillance program and complaint handling program.
• Update and maintain internal product complaint handling operating procedures including training of complaint reviewers.
• Update and maintain processes and procedures to track and analyze product complaints that do not meet the definition of medical device reportable events.
• Maintain a quality assurance program that includes an audit procedure for tracking complaints regarding DePuy products that do not rise to the level of a medical device reportable event but that may indicate a device-related serious injury or malfunction.
• Perform quarterly reviews of complaints and if a subgroup of patients is identified that has a higher incidence of adverse events than the full patient population, determine the cause and alter promotional practices as appropriate.

Arkansas was joined in the settlement, which was led by South Carolina and Texas, by Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge released a statement today in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. day of service.

“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a time for all Americans to reflect on the work of a man who was tireless in his dedication to freedom and justice for all,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Communities around Arkansas will pause today to reflect and celebrate Dr. King and his dream of equality for citizens across the country. But today is not only a day of remembrance; it is also a day to honor his memory by giving back and serving our communities where it is needed most.”

Rutledge attended the Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission’s Interfaith Prayer Breakfast at the Saint Mark Baptist Church in Little Rock.

Says, ‘true honor to pursue justice, good and right’

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge issued a statement following having been sworn in for her second term as Attorney General today.

“Serving the people of Arkansas as Attorney General has been a true honor to pursue justice, good and right,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “As we begin the next four years, I remain committed to increasing economic and educational opportunities for our families and keeping our most vulnerable children and seniors safe from predators. I will continue making the State more efficient and effective by expanding services and accessibility while decreasing the budget. On behalf of Boyce, Julianna and me, thank you, Arkansas families, for trusting me with these great responsibilities.”

Rutledge took the oath of office in the Chamber of the Arkansas State Capitol House of Representatives while her parents Keith and Nancy Rutledge, her brother Alan Rutledge and niece Kylie Rutledge as well as several other family members and friends observed from the House Gallery. She was escorted onto the House floor by her husband, Boyce Johnson who held their five-month old daughter Julianna and the family Bible.

In December 2015, Rutledge announced her marriage to Johnson and in July 2018, Rutledge announced the birth of their daughter, Julianna. Rutledge is the first constitutional officer of Arkansas to give birth while holding office, and also the first female and first Republican elected to the Office of Attorney General in Arkansas.

Rutledge joined Governor Asa Hutchinson, Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin, Secretary of State John Thurston, Auditor of State Andrea Lea, Treasurer of State Dennis Milligan and Commissioner of State Lands Tommy Land at today’s inaugural ceremonies.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge participated today in a roundtable discussion with President Donald J. Trump on border security, illegal immigration and the dangers facing our communities nationwide that have been created at our southern border.

“President Trump understands that our Nation's security must be a top priority and that Congress must provide funding to protect our borders,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “It is imperative for the United States to restore security and the integrity of our immigration system. Every Arkansan and American is less safe following decades of failed policies, and it is time for Congress to fund not only the border wall, but also new technology and reinforcement for our border patrol agents.”

Rutledge’s top priority as attorney general is keeping Arkansans safe. The southern border is overwhelmed with illegal immigration, gang violence, crime, drugs and human trafficking, which disperse across the United States and into Arkansas. Rural America is particularly impacted because the border crisis has empowered cartels and drug trafficking. Rutledge has worked alongside Arkansas law enforcement leadership to combat the opioid crisis and identify ways to better serve those providing an essential service.