For many years, the over-the-counter medication market has been one thats generated billions of dollars in revenue every year in the United States. As a result of this constant and extremely high demand, companies from all over the world have attempted to penetrate this market with products designed to bring relief to symptoms that accompany several different conditions and temporary problems. Unfortunately for many consumers, the makers of Tylenol and several other prevalent products have come under intense scrutiny for several reasons.
Below youll find an overview regarding the corporate structure that has led to the placement of Tylenol, Motrin and other recalled products onto the marketplace, a brief history of the FDAs involvement with the inspection and regulation of these defective Tylenol products, a brief description of the Tylenol recalls by those responsible for them and finally how you should proceed if you or someone you love has been harmed and needs the help of an Arizona Tylenol recall lawyer.
The Corporate Structure Surrounding Tylenol Recalls
When a product or products are found to be defective and are ultimately recalled, those who have been harmed tend to seek the help of defective drugs attorneys in order to begin any sort of legal analysis by identifying the party or parties responsible for any harm that has been suffered by consumers. This is simply a standard approach when looking to defend the rights of those who have been injured or placed in a situation of risk.
In terms of the Tylenol recalls and recalls of other over-the-counter products, the entities that have controlled the release, marketing, sale and distribution of Tylenol, Motrin and other related products include McNeil Pharmaceuticals, which is also known as Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. These entities fall under one corporate umbrella that is the corporate giant known as Johnson & Johnson, and each of these parties is tied to the recent Tylenol recalls for different reasons.
The FDAs Involvement with Tylenol Recalls
The FDA has been deeply involved with the issues surrounding the Tylenol recalls that have occurred and been announced on four separate occasions in recent months. The foundation of the FDAs involvement centers on at least 775 adverse effects reports being generated by consumers who have either been harmed by the products in question or who have noticed something that they felt was terribly wrong with what they had purchased.
This high number of reports prompted the FDA to investigate the operations of McNeil, which is the subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson that is directly responsible for the quality and safety of the products in question. The FDA began by investigating the McNeil manufacturing plant located in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. At the conclusion of this plant inspection, the FDA issued a full report of its findings that could only be described as scathing.
Specifically, the FDA found at least 20 different issues that it described as being extremely problematic. These issues centered on the overall approach used at the plant that put such safety issues as proper sanitation, proper manufacturing protocols and proper quality assurance steps into serious question. As a result of their findings in this plant inspection, the FDA announced that it was going to expand its investigation into manufacturing plants run by McNeil that fall under the FDAs jurisdiction.
The Tylenol Recalls A Brief History
As all of this was happening with the FDA, McNeil/Johnson & Johnson issued several Tylenol recalls. Below is a brief overview of each:
Initial Tylenol Recall
The first in the recent wave of Tylenol recalls was announced in November of 2009 when McNeil initiated a recall of five lots of Tylenol Arthritis Pain 100 count with the EZ-open cap. This Tylenol recall was initiated because of a noxious odor that emanated from these containers that made many consumers nauseous.
Second Tylenol Recall
The second Tylenol recall was announced only one month later, and it was basically an expansion of the announcement from the previous month to include all of the lots of Tylenol Arthritis Pain 100 count with the EZ-open cap. Once again, people were becoming ill because of the smell from the containers of these products.
Third Tylenol Recall
Once again, only one month later, McNeil announced another Tylenol recall that included Tylenol, Motrin and several other products. The reason for this Tylenol recall was the same as the two prior announcements.
Fourth Tylenol Recall
Finally, on May 1, 2010, McNeil announced its fourth Tylenol recall that affected as many as 50 different childrens versions of these products. The reason for this Tylenol recall was different, however, because it concerned the presence of bacteria in several lots of these pills that presented potential danger to the young consumers who ingested them.
How a Tylenol Recall Lawyer in Arizona Can Help
Generally, a growing number of reports of consumer injuries have been alleged to be tied to the use of these Tylenol products that have been recalled. If you or someone you love has suffered in any way as a result of using an over-the-counter product manufactured by McNeil or any of Johnson & Johnsons subsidiaries, you need to take action. Contact the Arizona Tylenol recall lawyers at Phillips Law Group today to schedule a free initial consultation.
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