Current Events

People everywhere rely on products of pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry to treat disease and illness, relieve pain, and prevent serious medical conditions. Because these products play such an important part in the lives of the consumers, in some cases literally preserving life, a trust exists between the industry and the consumer. The consumers, left with little other choice, trust the manufacturer to provide products with the approved composition and that deliver the outcome that is publicized. Unfortunately, as in other industries, there are events or a situation where that is not the case and, in the case of pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, where that trust violated resulting in potentially harmful outcomes for the consumer.

One recent event is described in: http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110914-712671.html. According to this article Johnson and Johnson has agreed to pay a fine of $85 million and plead guilty to a criminal charge that JNJ promoted a heart failure drug for "off-label" uses. Johnson and Johnson agreed to plead guilty to introducing a "misbranded" drug. This could impact the industry in a negative way because some consumers may be reluctant to use a drug critical to for their good health because of the criminal conviction of the manufacturer and their loss in trust in them. However, other consumers may not view the situation as negatively since the manufacturer cooperated with the investigation and admitted to wrongdoing.

A second event is detailed in http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903927204576577250729074390.html, and concerns shortages and recalls of a very popular medication, Tylenol. The situation is compounded because it occurs just as the flu and cold seasons are arriving. The reason for the recalls is complaints of moldy and musty smells which then led to other concerns about safety and effectiveness of the medication. Because of the recalls, in response to many complaints, a shortage of Tylenol now exists. These shortages could result in the consumers speaking with their pharmacists to help them identify other over-the-counter medicines that will provide them with the cure they need. Obviously, if the consumers begin using other products it would impact the manufacturer through reduced sales. However, the consumer may actually benefit if they are able to save money by purchasing other less popular, generic brands that cost less than the popular Tylenol brand.

Since the products of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry are so crucial to the consumers' quality of life, I think it is imperative that strict quality control measures are in place and that situations that adversely affect the medication, procedure, and/or equipment be thoroughly investigated and those strict measures are taken to minimize any similar occurrences in the future. Failure to do so puts the health and safety of all consumers at risk.

Meredith Mesaris