Healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) has yet to turn
over documents requested by a U.S. government panel investigating
recalls and manufacturing problems at the company, a move that
might provoke the government to take a firmer stand.
The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,
which made the request, is looking into manufacturing problems at
the J&J facility in Pennsylvania. The facility made children's
medicines.
On April 30, J&J's McNeil Consumer Healthcare unit recalled
certain Benadryl, Motrin, Tylenol and Zyrtec pain and cold
medicines for children because of manufacturing problems. Among the
problems was the potential for metal particles in the products.
Subsequently, other medicines were also found to have
problems.
"Johnson & Johnson has not yet complied with the Committee's
request for documents," said Jenny Rosenberg, a spokeswoman for the
U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which is
looking into manufacturing problems and recalls of over-the-counter
children's drugs made by J&J. "If necessary to ensure
cooperation with the Committee's investigation, further action will
be taken."
A phone call to the company was not immediately returned.
In particular, the committee is interested in how J&J
handled a recall of pain reliever Motrin in 2008. J&J allegedly
hired a contractor to pose as consumers and buy the medicine rather
than issue a formal recall.
Shares of Johnson & Johnson were little changed on Monday,
at $58.00.
-By Andrew Morse, Dow Jones Newswires; 415-439-6402;
andrew.morse@dowjones.com