Johnson & Johnson Pays $25M To Settle Recall Probe

A manufacturer of over-the-counter infant’s and children’s liquid medications has agreed to plead guilty to a federal criminal charge that it sold products that contained medical particles.

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a unit of Johnson & Johnson, acknowledged failing to take corrective action and agreed to pay $25 million to resolve the case.

Failing to Take Corrective Action

According to court documents, McNeil first learned of the particle problem affecting bottles of Infants’ and Children’s Tylenol and Children’s Motrin in May 2009, when a consumer complained about black specks inside a bottle of Infants’ Tylenol.

However, despite tracing particles of nickel, iron and chromium back to a manufacturing plant in Fort Washington, prosecutors claim McNeil continued making liquid medicine, failing to take steps to warn consumers and fix the problem.

While the Food and Drug Administration said the potential for serious medical problems was remote, McNeil finally issued a recall, more than one year later in April 2010.

Recall Controversy

And this isn’t the first time the New Brunswick health care giant has struggled with recall controversy.  It has dealt with scores of product recalls since 2009, including a link to several recalls of Tylenol and other nonprescription drugs for children and adults.

Free Consultation

At Riddle & Brantley, our attorneys have great sympathy for all victims of dangerous drugs, and believe that if you are suffering from serious injuries as a result, you and your love ones may be entitled to compensation for your losses and damages.

If you would like to learn more about our firm, or if you or a loved one have been injured from a dangerous drug, we urge you to contact us. A member of our intake team will collect the details of your case and your case will be promptly reviewed.

Call 800-525-7111 or use our case evaluation form to schedule your free consultation with our office today.