Johnson & Johnson is poised for an overhaul of its manufacturing operations as the company strives to leave behind a stream of recalls of its over-the-counter medicines and production setbacks.
In order to boost quality the company has decided to put in a place a single, company-wide manufacturing, quality and compliance framework, to be overseen by Ajit Shetty, who will now be taking care of the medical devices and consumer groups in addition to the pharmaceutical division, as first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
J&J is hoping that its plans will help to regain consumer trust following a spate of high-profile recalls – a total of eight since last Autumn – including the analgesic/antipyretic paracetamol-based Tylenol and the anti-allergy drug Benadryl (diphenhydramine).
The recalls all involved products manufactured at plants in Fort Washington, Pa, which has been temporarily shut down, and in Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, after investigators reportedly found bacterial contamination, metal shavings in liquid products, and incorrect levels of active ingredient.
Following news of its plans for streamlining manufacturing processes and the appointment of Shetty as quality lord, the company’s shares closed up $0.13 on the New York Stock Exchange last night.
