The case of the missing o.b. tampons. That’s what consumers are calling it. But are o.b. tampons the most recent case of phantom recalls from J&J? The company has quietly pulled the product from store shelves and some wholesalers reported large bulk purchases last fall.
One thing is clear, the lack of o.b. on store shelves is a tremendous embarrassment to the already embattled J&J, and the lack of communication from the company to consumers and retail outlets is leading to speculation that the product was pulled due to adverse event reports in patients.
One thing is for certain – there’s a news story in here and we haven’t heard the last of this.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
January Brings More J&J Recalls
In another Friday recall, back on January 14, Johnson & Johnson recalled another 47 million units of various due to ongoing quality and contamination issues. These batches came out of the same manufacturing facility that has produced contaminated batches of Tylenol for the last several years. The January 14th recall covers J&J’s Tylenol, Benadryl, Sudafed, Sinutab and Rolaids brands that are sold in the United States and Latin America.
J&J claims that the products were produced prior to April 2010, however it emphasized that consumer health was not at risk. J&J admitted that the products were not tested.
J&J is recalling the products at the “wholesale level.” The company is encouraging consumers who may have purchased the products to continue using them. My advice to any consumers that have any J&J products on their shelves is to throw the medication out and start over.
It’s your health, and you just can’t trust it to Johnson & Johnson.
J&J claims that the products were produced prior to April 2010, however it emphasized that consumer health was not at risk. J&J admitted that the products were not tested.
J&J is recalling the products at the “wholesale level.” The company is encouraging consumers who may have purchased the products to continue using them. My advice to any consumers that have any J&J products on their shelves is to throw the medication out and start over.
It’s your health, and you just can’t trust it to Johnson & Johnson.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
J&J Ramps Up Lobbying Efforts in Face of Manufacturing Crisis
Johnson & Johnson, the embattled drug manufacturer, increased its lobbying efforts significantly over 2009. In fact, the company increased its expenditures by over 40% - from $1.7 million in third quarter 2009 to $2.4 million in third quarter 2010.
As the company has recalled dozens of products, it has faced two Congressional hearings over its actions. J&J seems to hope that increased attention to politicians will help it avoid a Consent Decree and additional future scrutiny.
As the company has recalled dozens of products, it has faced two Congressional hearings over its actions. J&J seems to hope that increased attention to politicians will help it avoid a Consent Decree and additional future scrutiny.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Medicare Wait Times
For Christmas, like all good snowbirds, we spent the holiday with family in Broward County, just north of Miami. It had been three years since I'd last been here, but it was fascinating to see the changes.
A large number of doctor's offices now publish the length of time Medicare patients need to wait before being able to see a physician. A physician in Pompano Beach proudly proclaims in advertisements, "only a 30 day wait for Medicare cardholders." As if a 30 day wait for medical care is something to be proud of.
Against this backdrop, there has been an explosion in the number of primary care retail clinics. On major streets, you can't go 10 blocks without passing one of the triage centers. If Medicare were such a great thing, you'd have to wonder why these places are sprouting like weeds and why doctors are rationing care to Medicare patients.
I'm lucky. I've done well in my life and I value my health. I don't rely on CMS and Medicare to provide for me. Yes, my private policy is expensive. But when I call up a doctor, I get right in, rather than the standard wait times for those with government healthcare. I understand it - the desire to abdicate all personal responsibility and let the government take care of me. But I'm not there yet. I want to live my life on my terms.
When I talk to the youth and their desire for "Medicare for All," they are dismayed when I say I don't want it or use it. The grass always looks greener on the other side - especially when it covers your grave. So I'll let them keep loving Medicare, I'll keep paying so I don't have to.
A large number of doctor's offices now publish the length of time Medicare patients need to wait before being able to see a physician. A physician in Pompano Beach proudly proclaims in advertisements, "only a 30 day wait for Medicare cardholders." As if a 30 day wait for medical care is something to be proud of.
Against this backdrop, there has been an explosion in the number of primary care retail clinics. On major streets, you can't go 10 blocks without passing one of the triage centers. If Medicare were such a great thing, you'd have to wonder why these places are sprouting like weeds and why doctors are rationing care to Medicare patients.
I'm lucky. I've done well in my life and I value my health. I don't rely on CMS and Medicare to provide for me. Yes, my private policy is expensive. But when I call up a doctor, I get right in, rather than the standard wait times for those with government healthcare. I understand it - the desire to abdicate all personal responsibility and let the government take care of me. But I'm not there yet. I want to live my life on my terms.
When I talk to the youth and their desire for "Medicare for All," they are dismayed when I say I don't want it or use it. The grass always looks greener on the other side - especially when it covers your grave. So I'll let them keep loving Medicare, I'll keep paying so I don't have to.
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