Biotech Firms Work To Weaken Health Law Provision; J & J Faces Oregon Suit Related To ‘Phantom Recalls’
These so-called "phantom recalls" - which have gained the attention of some members of Congress - involved the company's plan to buy back defective Motrin pills from store shelves in order to avoid negative publicity.
The Wall Street Journal: Biotech Firms Fight Generics
Brand-name drug companies are fighting to weaken a provision of the health overhaul that was designed to open up generic competition in biotechnology medicines and save billions of dollars (Mundy, 1/13).
The New York Times: Oregon Sues J & J In Motrin Buyback
An effort by Johnson & Johnson to buy back defective Motrin pills from store shelves - described as a "phantom recall" by some members of Congress - has come under fire in a lawsuit filed by the state of Oregon against the company (Singer and Abelson, 1/12).
Bloomberg: Johnson & Johnson Sued by Oregon Claiming Secret Motrin Recall Risked Harm
Johnson & Johnson, after recalling more than 40 types of medicines last year, was sued by Oregon over claims it put consumers at risk by secretly removing defective Motrin painkiller from store shelves. Attorney General John Kroger said Johnson & Johnson sought to avoid negative publicity with a plan to covertly buy up supplies of the defective product from retailers instead of conducting an open recall. The complaint, filed yesterday in state court in Portland, seeks restitution for all Oregon purchases of Motrin, plus unspecified damages (Pearson, 1/12).
The Associated Press: Ore. AG Sues J&J Over Alleged Motrin Recall Delay
Oregon Attorney General John Kroger has sued Johnson & Johnson and two subsidiaries, claiming consumers were exposed to defective supplies of Motrin by a delay in public disclosure of a recall. Kroger said Wednesday the health care products companies tried to quietly remove Motrin from store shelves in a "phantom recall" without telling consumers. The action has been the subject of a congressional investigation (1/12).