No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is highly carcinogenic. Its microscopic spikes “spear” DNA itself, causing mutations that can lead to cancers like mesothelioma. Two forms of asbestos are tremolite and chrysotile. Asbestos was widely used in building materials, consumer goods, and other products until it was banned in 1989. Asbestos is often found near talc deposits. Asbestos in Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based Baby Powder led to illnesses like ovarian cancer in women who used it on their genital regions.

Duragesic was Johnson & Johnson’s long-release fentanyl patch designed to compete with Purdue Pharma’s long-release opioid Oxycontin. Fentanyl is a very strong synthetic opioid. Duragesic led to accidental overdoses and deaths, as its reservoir patch system led to inconsistent dosing. Harris examines Duragesic within the scope of the wider prescription opioid epidemic in the United States.

The modern Johnson & Johnson company is structured as a large conglomerate that includes a number of semi-independent medical companies that create their own products. Janssen is a Belgian pharmaceutical company and subsidiary of J&J. Janssen has created many key medications for J&J, including Risperdal and Duragesic.

Ortho Evra is an estrogen-based hormonal contraceptive in the form of a patch. It is sold by Johnson & Johnson. The patch results in high doses of estrogen being absorbed through the skin; this is dangerous because high doses of estrogen can cause blood clots, strokes, and death. Harris examines how Johnson & Johnson minimized the risks of the Ortho Evra patch to the FDA, and how the FDA ultimately decided to keep the product on the market despite the risks.

Pinnacle is the name of a metal-on-metal hip implant developed by the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary DePuy. Harris describes how Johnson & Johnson got approval for the product from the FDA by submitting incorrect designs to the agency. Pinnacle and a similar product, the ASR XL, were both pulled from the market after studies showed the design resulted in metal shards from wear infecting and weakening muscle tissue.

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a naturally occurring hormone that stimulates red blood cell growth. Johnson & Johnson’s synthetic EPO is Procrit. It is prescribed to people with anemia, particularly those with low red blood cell counts due to cancer treatments. Harris analyzes how the dangers of Procrit were overlooked by Johnson & Johnson, federal regulators, and medical practitioners. He also examines how J&J and other medical companies used Procrit to commit Medicare / Medicaid fraud by providing the drug at low or no cost while requesting reimbursements for the full cost of the product.

Risperdal is an “atypical” antipsychotic medication sold by Johnson & Johnson approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. “Atypical” antipsychotics are “supposed to cause fewer tics and tremors” (162). Harris examines how Johnson & Johnson aggressively marketed Risperdal to children and the elderly as a method of controlling behavior, despite severe side effects including strokes in the elderly and gynecomastia (pathological breast development) in children.

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral. It can be ground into a fine talcum powder, with a variety of uses in cosmetics and other consumer goods. Johnson & Johnson used talc in its baby powder for decades despite worries about asbestos contamination. Harris also examines evidence that suggests talc itself might be carcinogenic when used on genital regions or inhaled.