Johnson & Johnson is the world’s largest health care company. It is also the highest paid drug company in the world. J&J remains at the top of the Big Pharma list of powerful corporations. It is well known for consumer products like Band-Aids, Johnson’s Baby Powder and Tylenol. Its drugs, devices and products have led to scandals and lawsuits.
Johnson & Johnson Facts
Established1886
HeadquartersNew Brunswick, New Jersey
2017 Revenue$76.45 billion
FoundersRobert, James and Edward Johnson
SizeMore than 125,000 employees
SubsidiariesJanssen Pharmaceuticals, Ethicon, DePuy Orthopaedics, McNeil Consumer Pharmaceuticals Co., Neutrogena and more
Johnson & Johnson has built a health care empire. It includes prescription and over-the-counter drugs, orthopedic implants, surgical products and household products.
The most popular brands include Band-Aids, Tylenol and Johnson’s Baby Powder. Still, more than 90 percent of J&J’s revenue comes from prescription drugs and medical devices.
A Huffington Post investigation called J&J “America’s most admired lawbreaker.”
J&J has been at the center of scandals and government investigations. It has issued recalls of some of its drugs and devices.
Consumers harmed by J&J products are suing the company. They question the company’s motives and say it puts profits over people.
About Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson has over 125,000 employees spread across 60 countries. Its main headquarters is in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
J&J brought in more than $76 billion in 2017. It ranked No. 1 in annual revenue among its competitors.
Alex Gorsky is its CEO. He is the seventh CEO to head J&J.
Johnson & Johnson Headquarters in New Brunswick, New Jersey
Johnson & Johnson History
Robert, James and Edward Johnson founded Johnson & Johnson in 1886 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The company focused on bandages, sterile sutures and wound care.
The company also sold women’s health products. These included sanitary protection products. It also sold maternity kits with first-aid products to make childbirth safer.
J&J created the first commercial dressings applied by consumers. We know this product made in 1921 as Band-Aids.
Johnson & Johnson Subsidiaries
Johnson & Johnson is a parent company for over 250 subsidiaries. Together, the companies make up “the Johnson & Johnson family of companies.”
Johnson & Johnson Subsidiaries Include:
McNeil
Janssen
Cilag
LifeScan
Biosense Webster
DePuy
Ethicon
Actelion
J&J Vision Care (Acuvue)
Animas Corporation (OneTouch)
Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP)
Acclarent
J&J Holdings
Neutrogena
Ortho
Synthes
Popular Johnson & Johnson Products
Johnson & Johnson products fall into three categories. These include consumer health care products, medical devices and pharmaceutical drugs.
Reason for Recall - Medicine laced with potassium cyanide (poison) resulting in several patient deaths
2009 to 2011 - McNeil
Product Recalled - Several OTC medicines including Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, St. Joseph aspirin, Sudafed, Pepcid, Mylanta, Rolaids, Zyrtec, Zyrtec Eye Drops (tens of millions of bottles)
Reason for Recall - Unpleasant smells causing nausea; tiny metal shards in liquid medicines; wrong ingredient levels
The company was also involved in the third-largest pharmaceutical settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2013, J&J paid the Justice Department more than $2.2 billion. The settlement resolved civil and criminal allegations involving Risperdal, Invega and Natrecor.
Recent J&J Verdicts and Settlements
February 2016
A jury in Missouri ordered J&J to pay $72 million in a Johnson’s Baby Powder case. An appeals court tossed the verdict in 2017.
March 2016
A jury in Texas awarded five patients $500 million in a Pinnacle hip implant case. State law required the award be cut to $150 million.
December 2016
A jury awarded $1 billion to six patients in a Pinnacle hip implant case. A judge slashed the award to $543 million.
April 2017
A jury in Philadelphia ordered J&J to pay $20 million in a transvaginal mesh lawsuit.
May 2017
A jury in Missouri awarded $110.5 million to a woman who developed ovarian cancer after using Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower talcum powder. J&J planned to appeal the verdict.
May 2017
J&J paid $33 million to most U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The states charged J&J with misrepresenting the manufacturing practices behind certain drugs. This included its Motrin products. These products were later recalled.
August 2017
A California jury ordered J&J to pay $417 million in a Johnson’s Baby Powder and talcum powder case. A trial judge overturned the verdict in October 2017 and ordered a new trial.
November 2017
A federal jury in Dallas ordered J&J to pay six patients $247 million in a Pinnacle hip implant case. J&J said it planned to appeal the verdict.
December 2017
A federal jury in Philadelphia ordered J&J to pay $27.8 million in a Xarelto bleeding lawsuit. A judge overturned the verdict in 2018.
December 2017
A New Jersey federal jury issued a verdict of $15 million against J&J in a Prolift pelvic mesh case.
March 2018
An Indiana jury awarded a woman $35 million in a Prolift pelvic mesh case. J&J planned to appeal the verdict.
Please seek the advice of a medical professional before making health care decisions.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2018, January 2). Sterilmed Reprocessed Agilis Steerable Introducer Sheath recalled due to improper seal of the sheath hub. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/ListofRecalls/ucm590903.htm
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2015, August 28). FDA drug safety communication: FDA warns that DPP-4 inhibitors for type 2 diabetes may cause severe joint pain. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm459579.htm
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