The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) routinely issues drug recalls and advisories for dangerous or defective drugs for the protection of American users. On occasion a drug manufacturer may voluntarily recall a product from the market after discovering something wrong with it. Most of the drug recalls happen because of harmful side effects that these drugs cause. The reason these side effects go unnoticed initially is usually because of inadequate drug testing. Johnson & Johnson is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation that manufactures medicines, medical equipment and consumer packaged goods. Founded in 1886, it has become a truly international company with a global reach. It is also one of the most respected companies in the world which has built a solid reputation. Johnson & Johnson's common stock forms a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. In recent years however this company has come to be associated with several product recalls after FDA warnings.
Tylenol® Recall
FDA approved Tylenol in 1951 and it was widely available by 1955. Johnson & Johnson acquired McNeil Consumer Products in 1959. By 1970s, Tylenol was seen as a less irritable and safer alternative to aspirin. However, as early as 1977, the FDA had recommended an advisory on the drug's packaging warning against potential liver damage but this was not heeded till 2006. In 1982, the painkiller was recalled after the extra-strength variety of the drug, which was contaminated with cyanide, turned out deadly for patients using it. In 2009 and 2010 the drug was again recalled twice. In February 2012, 574,000 bottles of grape flavored Tylenol syrup for children were also recalled.
DePuy's Acetabuler and ASR hip ™ Recalls
DePuy's Acetabuler and ASR hip resurfacing systems, manufactured by another of Johnson & Johnson subsidiaries, DePuy Orthopedics, have also been recalled. The metal on metal friction is known to cause severe infections, fractures, loss of bone and excruciating groin pain to its users, leading at times to complete immobility. It was serious enough to lead FDA to issue a warning metal socket and ball replacement hips in 2011. Earlier in 2010, Johnson & Johnson had voluntarily recalled the DePuy line of hip replacement products. Depuy has also recalled three of its knee replacement products after serious complaints.
2010 Children's product recalls
In 2010 Johnson & Johnson recalled 43 over the counter drugs for children after it was determined that the said products did not meet the manufacturing criteria. These included Tylenol, Tylenol Plus, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl.
Mylanta and AlternaGel liquid Antacid recall
Over 12 million bottles of Mylanta and almost 85,000 bottles of AlternaGel liquid antacid were recalled in December 2010. The problem cited was that small amounts of alcohol from flavoring agents were not noted on product packaging.
Tylenol® Recall
FDA approved Tylenol in 1951 and it was widely available by 1955. Johnson & Johnson acquired McNeil Consumer Products in 1959. By 1970s, Tylenol was seen as a less irritable and safer alternative to aspirin. However, as early as 1977, the FDA had recommended an advisory on the drug's packaging warning against potential liver damage but this was not heeded till 2006. In 1982, the painkiller was recalled after the extra-strength variety of the drug, which was contaminated with cyanide, turned out deadly for patients using it. In 2009 and 2010 the drug was again recalled twice. In February 2012, 574,000 bottles of grape flavored Tylenol syrup for children were also recalled.
DePuy's Acetabuler and ASR hip ™ Recalls
DePuy's Acetabuler and ASR hip resurfacing systems, manufactured by another of Johnson & Johnson subsidiaries, DePuy Orthopedics, have also been recalled. The metal on metal friction is known to cause severe infections, fractures, loss of bone and excruciating groin pain to its users, leading at times to complete immobility. It was serious enough to lead FDA to issue a warning metal socket and ball replacement hips in 2011. Earlier in 2010, Johnson & Johnson had voluntarily recalled the DePuy line of hip replacement products. Depuy has also recalled three of its knee replacement products after serious complaints.
2010 Children's product recalls
In 2010 Johnson & Johnson recalled 43 over the counter drugs for children after it was determined that the said products did not meet the manufacturing criteria. These included Tylenol, Tylenol Plus, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl.
Mylanta and AlternaGel liquid Antacid recall
Over 12 million bottles of Mylanta and almost 85,000 bottles of AlternaGel liquid antacid were recalled in December 2010. The problem cited was that small amounts of alcohol from flavoring agents were not noted on product packaging.