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Snake Oil, Anyone?

Johnson & Johnson’s over-the-counter medications promise quality, deliver lawsuits

Taran March @ Quality Digest
Thu, 12/09/2010 - 07:40
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Pharmaceutical manufacturer Johnson & Johnson, which for decades has enjoyed a trusted reputation for soothing babies and overcoming head colds, is currently facing criminal investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The company’s McNeil Consumer Healthcare unit closed a facility in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, this summer after the FDA cited multiple manufacturing violations there. Millions of Tylenol, Motrin, and Benadryl formulas have been recalled, and Johnson & Johnson CEO William Weldon has faced two congressional hearings about it. Where, in all this mayhem, are the company’s quality control people? Have they succumbed from sampling too many defective products?

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It’s tempting to get clever at J&J’s expense, and many articles and blogs have given in to the urge. “Just when you think it’s safe to return to the drugstore,” “J&J heartburn worsens as Mylanta joins recall list,” and “Make them do the perp walk!” are a small sampling. But for anyone in the quality industry, smiles can quickly become strained. Such blatant oversights on the part of a high-profile company in a high-trust industry are, well, sickening.

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Comments

Submitted by Michael V. Petrovich on Thu, 12/09/2010 - 15:13

Snake Oil Efficacy?

This is a sad note for a once great company.

Please note there really is a legitimate "Snake Oil." Although, not well know in the United States, there is an oil from the Chinese water snake, high in EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) that relieves arthritis and joint pain. Snake oil is still sold in traditional Chinese pharmacy stores (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_oil).

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Submitted by Taran March @ … on Fri, 12/10/2010 - 14:24

Well, I'll be

Thanks, Michael. I didn't know that about snake oil. I was referring to the Wild West formula that had no curative properties.

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