J&J to Pay Record Amount in Talcum Powder Suit

A Missouri jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay out billions to women claiming their talc-based products contained asbestos and caused cancer.

Jul 27th, 2018

J&J Baby Powder / Image: Healthline

J&J Baby Powder / Image: Healthline

A recent Today article discussed a record-breaking lawsuit in which the world’s largest independent biotech company, Johnson & Johnson, will pay out $4.69 billion. The recipients of the money are 22 women who claim the company’s baby powder products contain asbestos and caused them to develop ovarian cancer.

There are currently 9,000 talc cases against Johnson & Johnson, but the company denies that its products ever contained asbestos or caused cancer. The FDA commissioned a study of various talc samples from 2009 to 2010, and no asbestos was found. A statement from the company said that the trial was “fundamentally unfair” and noted that it would appeal the decision.

Johnson & Johnson

Controversial new labeling idea

Headlines from the U.K. sound promising but reading deeper reveals very little benefit for contemplating such a major change for food manufacturers.

Activ-Blister Packaging / Image: Aptar

FDA Approves Activ-Blister™ Packaging for HIV Drug

The FDA has approved AptarGroup’s packaging solution for oral solid dose HIV prevention medicine.

Holographic foils can be used to great effect to differentiate product at the point-of-sale.

Using Holography to Fight Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Brand Piracy

Column: New trends in pharma packaging follow developments in emerging markets, demographic changes and new technologies that include holography, says chairman of the International Hologram Manufacturers Association.

Baby Powder / Image: Flickr

FDA Finds Asbestos in Baby Powder, Recall Ensues

Johnson & Johnson recalled thousands bottles of their famous baby powder after the FDA found trace amounts of asbestos.

Yourway Mitigates Uncertainty of Brexit for Clinical Trials in Europe

Their new location is strategically placed to accommodate both the UK and mainland Europe.

Digital Network Platform to Further Transform the Global Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

TraceLink: Digital Network Platform to Further Transform the Global Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

The platform is designed to allow users to rapidly design and deploy network orchestration and analytics applications, enabling patient-centric orchestration across the end-to-end life sciences value chain.

Schreiner MediPharm's Flexi-Cap Prime has a combined tear strip for the label and cap

Schreiner MediPharm: Tamper-Evident Flexi-Cap Prime for Vials

The tear strip is designed to ensure that undetected reuse of a container is no longer possible.

Duane Niedert, Director of Operations – Americas for Smithers

Smart Packaging: ‘A Tale of Two Technologies’

A presentation at SmartPack 2019 delves into the current status, forecast, and drivers of the two categories of technology—smart and active—that make up smart packaging.

Migrane Drug Needed / Image: Getty

FDA Approves New Acute Migraine Drug

Eli Lilly’s new drug Reyvow relieves pain, nausea, and light sensitivity in within two hours of ingestion.

Descovy / Image: Gilead

FDA Approves HIV Drug, But Only for Men

Gilead Sciences only tested Descovy on men and transgender women, and the approval explicitly excludes cisgender women.

Zantac and generic versions of the popular heartburn medicine face concerns about contaminants.

How QR Codes Can Help Drug Makers Streamline Recalls

Concerns about a carcinogenic impurity have prompted recalls of Zantac and generic versions of the popular heartburn medication. Smart labeling technology could speed and clarify alerts to consumers and also help drug companies reduce scrapped lots.

Infant Werewolf Syndrome / Image: Shutterstock

Mislabeling Leads to 17 Cases of Infant “Werewolf Syndrome”

Children in Spain have developed hypertrichosis after a reflux drug was contaminated with alopecia treatment.

Visible Particulate FDA Recall Notices by year as compiled by John Shabushnig, Insight Pharma Consulting, from FDA data. Reprinted with permission.

Particles in Parenterals: 2019 Update

FDA expects a visual inspection program and parenteral manufacturers should expect questions about their program during any inspection. What's new in 2019?

Toshiba’s new thermal barcode printer, the B-EX4T3HS, prints at 600 dpi at speeds up to 6 in/s.

High-Precision Printer Eases Compliance in Medical Packaging

Toshiba’s latest thermal barcode printer combines high-resolution printing with high precision in label feeding to print small labels.

Opioids / Image: iStock

FDA and DEA Target More Illegal Opioid Websites

In the continued fight against the opioid crisis, the FDA and DEA issued joint warning letters to websites illegally marketing and selling opioids.

Digital Brand Protection: Fingerprinting for Serialized and Non-Serialized Products

Systech’s next-generation platform is a brand protection suite that integrates fool-proof product authentication with serialization, traceability and insight.

NUsurface Meniscus Implant / Image: Active Implants

First Artificial Meniscus is an FDA Breakthrough Device

The FDA has designated the first artificial meniscus implant a breakthrough device, expediting its review process.

Saleable Returns Enforcement Delayed to 2020

Saleable Returns Enforcement Delayed to 2020

FDA final guidance says distributors will not be required to verify the product identifier of returned drugs before resale until 27 November 2020.

Panel Alert: White Paper on Smart Asset Technologies

Panel Alert: White Paper on Smart Asset Technologies

Tuesday panel to introduce the new report on identification, monitoring and tracking of reusable transport packaging assets.

Cannabis Research Lights Finally Turn Green

DEA makes a move to help increase the availability of cannabis for medical research.

More in Regulatory

Holograms are an effective tool against counterfeiters and fraudsters.

New Anti-Counterfeiting Packaging Report Highlights Holography

Latest intelligence predicts the global market for anti-counterfeiting packaging will reach almost US$ 250 bn by 2026.

PCI Unveils Clinical Center of Excellence

Expanded clinical services facility in Rockford, IL to support growth and flexibility with 30,000 additional sq ft.

Zantac 150 / Image: Amazon

Cancer-Linked Contaminant Found in Heartburn Pills

Low levels of NDMA have been found in samples of the heartburn medication Zantac, according to the FDA.

DSCSA: Where Are We, and Where Are We Going?

DSCSA: Where Are We, and Where Are We Going?

Recapping current progress, the Nov. 2019 saleable returns deadline and the supply chain transformation expected in 2023.

Recalled Drugs / Image: CPSC

Packaging Issues Lead to Recall of Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Medication

Sandoz is recalling a high blood pressure and high cholesterol medication because their packaging wasn’t childproof.

Grass-to-Glass Traceability and Consumer Engagement for Infant Formula Brand, Friso

Kezzler enables FrieslandCampina to reinforce transparency and build trust with Chinese consumers.

Marijuana / Image: MrDr

DEA to Finally Expand Marijuana Research

It took a lawsuit for the DEA to expand the number of entities authorized to grow marijuana for research purposes.

Company Reports Three out of Ten 2D Barcodes Failing, Letter Stresses Saleable Returns Challenges

Company Reports Three out of Ten 2D Barcodes Failing, Letter Stresses Saleable Returns Challenges

Returns verification requirement deadline is approaching fast.

FDA / Image: FiercePharma

FDA Says No More Reusable Duodenoscopes

After years of sterilization issues, the agency is urging device makers to transition to disposable duodenoscopes.

Lidocaine Recall / Image: EPR

Lidocaine Products Recalled Due to Label Issue

Lidocaine topical cream and liquid gel products have been recalled due to higher content than label states.

Vape-Related Seizure / Image: Alastair Pike

FDA Investigating 120 Vape-Related Seizures

The CDC and FDA are working with state health authorities to investigate the increase in pulmonary illnesses linked to e-cigarette use.

Healthcare Compliance Packaging Council Comments on “Fixed Quantity Unit of Use Blister Packaging for Certain Immediate Release Opioid Analgesics for Treatment of Acute Pain

Healthcare Compliance Packaging Council Comments on FDA's Look at Unit of Use Blister Packaging for Certain Opioids

The Council notes that limited doses in properly designed blisters will not only mitigate overuse, but also limit excess unused doses—frequently the source of diverted and misused pills.