Tylenol Maker To Pay $25 Million For Selling Contaminated Drugs

Tylenol Maker To Pay $25 Million For Selling Metal-Contaminated Drugs

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, pleaded guilty to one federal criminal charge on Tuesday to selling liquid medicine contaminated with metal and agreed to pay $25 million to resolve the case.

In 2010, McNeil Consumer Healthcare launched recalls of certain children’s over-the-counter-medicines, including Infants’ Tylenol and Children’s Motrin.

From 2008 to 2010 there were other recalls involving millions of bottles and packages of consumer brands such as Tylenol, Motrin, Rolaids, Benadryl and other products due to faulty manufacturing.

In addition to metal particles getting into liquid medicines, there were moldy odors and labeling problems.

In the case involving metal particles, the troubles began in May 2009 when a consumer complained after noticing “black specks” in the bottom of a bottle of Infants’ Tylenol. The specks were found to be nickel and chromium particles.

This recall has ultimately cost Johnson & Johnson’s product sales to fall by nearly 20 percent totaling a decrease of $900 million.

Carol Goodrich, a spokeswoman for McNeil Consumer Healthcare, said the plea agreement “closes a chapter” and that the company has “been implementing enhanced quality and oversight standards across its entire business.”

As far as reopening its Fort Washington facility, McNeil has agreed to further safety measures.