Johnson and Johnson upset with plant closed by FDA

Johnson and Johnson, drug maker, has hit more issues. The FDA decided they needed to come to Lancaster, Penn and shut down a medicinal manufacturing plant of Johnson and Johnson. Until the plant can pass an inspection like the one they failed, they are going to remain closed. Johnson and Johnson has already suffered some high profile setbacks over the past a number of months, on the heels of a large recall of children’s Motrin and Tylenol products.

Lancaster PA plant closes its doors

A plant run by a Johnson and Johnson-Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals joint venture was ordered to halt production by the Food and Drug Administration, as outlined by CNN Money. Form 483 was given to the plant informing the companies the plant hadn’t been complying with FDA guidelines. Within the last few months, Johnson and Johnson has had one more plant close, and this plant closing meant a setback in the Johnson and Johnson – Merck relationship. The plant manufactured Mylanta, Immodium and Pepcid.

J and J’s plant closes

In May, Johnson and Johnson was ordered by the FDA to close a Fort Washington, Penn., plant for non-compliance with codes. Children’s Motrin and Tylenol, the same ones in the recall, were made at that plant. The plant in Fort Washington was run by a Johnson and Johnson subsidiary, McNeil Consumer Healthcare, which just announced a layoff of 300 of the 400 employees at the plant. The plant had to close down as the Motrin and Tylenol being recalled in 2009 were contaminated. Another Tylenol recall was initiated most recently where 130 million bottles of children’s Motrin and Tylenol were recalled on May 6 of this year.

Excecutives of McNeil probably need their own drugs right about now

For years, the FDA has been hounding McNeil Consumer Healthcare about everything. The Fort Washington plant has been investigated regularly because of McNeil since 2003 making them have five recalls in the last eight months alone. Most consumers worry about giving their kids medicine anymore knowing it could be recalled any minute.

Article Sources

Lancaster PA plant closing
money.cnn.com/2010/07/16/news/companies/johnson_fda_new_inspection_report/index.htm
Fort Washington plant closing
money.cnn.com/2010/06/22/news/companies/tylenol_plant_inspection_history/index.htm?postversion=2010062318