Media Relations with Johnson & Johnson!

In January a new drug application was submitted to the FDA, the drug was an investigational oral analgesic for the relief of moderate to severe acute pain.

Recently, Pricara, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., is recalling all lots of their 25 microgram/hour DURAGESIC CII patches. All of the recalled patches have expiration dates on or before December 2009 and are all manufactored by ALZA Corporation. These patches were used to help with moderate to severe acute pain (the drug that was accepted by the FDA).

These patches may have a cut along the side of the drug reservoir within the patch. The possible release of fentanyl gel from the gel pouch and coming directly into contact with a person can lead to serious adverse events, such as respiratory depression and posible overdose, which could be fatal. Anyone who comes in contact with the gel should thoroughly rinse their skin with large amounts of water only, no soap.
For more information about the recall, click here.

Johnson & Johnson is the operating company of Pricara, so they are involved heavily with this recall. The drug was just recently approved by the FDA, and now this is a voluntary recall, which shows that the companies are highly involved with the safety of their customers. In a PR perspective, the company has not done too much with giving out information about the recall. There aren't many articles, where I feel a spokesperson for one of the companies should be giving out statements all the time pertaining to the recall. There are not too many conversations with anyone from J&J or Pricara, which would be the most important people a customer would want to hear from. The PR people should be getting their CEO's to talk to the media as much as possible to let their customers know they are involved and concerned for everyones safety.