Johnson & Johnson – what once stood for quality and integrity now stands for inferior quality and gross lapses in judgment (and some argue, criminal activity).
Last week was a bit of a nightmare for the company that can’t seem to get out of its own way. "Epic PR disaster" doesn't even begin to explain J&J's handling of this whole situation. First, the company failed to comply with a Congressional request to turn over all documents related to its handling of the last five product recalls of its OTC products (including the “Phantom Recall”). In response to negative media attention, the company was decidedly less transparent – telling Congress and the American people to, essentially, F’ Off.
J&J likes to claim it is social responsibility and engages in ethical behavior, but its actions are strikingly otherwise. In response to the company clamming up, leaked documents show that, not only did J&J management know about the “Phantom Recall,” but was part of the planning. Oops. So the question is – did J&J scapegoat Colleen Goggins knowingly lie about J&J’s involvement when she testified before Congress? My guess is that Goggins answered the question honestly – she didn’t know about it…and that’s why J&J sent her. However, I bet Mr. William Weldon did know about and, in fact, authorized the Phantom Recall and that’s why his elective surgery was conveniently scheduled to coincide with the Congressional summons.
When FDA inspectors (namely Neisa Alonso) questioned the company on its actions, J&J deceived the agency. The agency pressed the company to conduct a full recall, something the company ultimately did after many, many, many months and countless children ingesting the contaminated products.
Meanwhile, consumers are fed up with the J&J’s coupon scheme. Parents who purchased McNeil products and gave them to their poor children are eligible for refund coupons good for the purchase of more J&J products (at whatever point in the time the company is allowed to manufacture products again). That’s good for J&J, but what if a parent doesn’t what to give their child more products from a suspect source? It’s a scary prospect for parents – giving your kids products that have consistently been manufactured poorly and contaminated for so many years. Why trust J&J again? Rightly so, parents are now suing for full cash refunds.
Meanwhile, still radio silence for J&J’s embattled CEO, William Weldon, who continues to recover from his elective surgery. J&J’s official communication channels (the blog JNJBTW, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) are all pretending nothing has happened. Once again, it seems J&J is relying on a legal strategy, rather than acting with integrity.
I’ll ask it again – What Credo?
