FDA shuts down plant for Johnson and Johnson

Drug maker Johnson and Johnson has encountered yet an additional setback. The Food and Drug Administration has temporarily shut down a medicinal manufacturing plant in Lancaster, Penn. The plant failed an inspection and will remain closed until the plant is restored to satisfactory condition. Because of the children's Motrin and Tylenol products recall, Johnson and Johnson has already been suffering.

FDA shut down Lancaster PA plant

A plant run by a Johnson and Johnson-Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals joint venture was ordered to halt production by the Food and Drug Administration, according to CNN Money. The Lancaster, Penn., plant was given a Form 483, which is an FDA notice of non-compliance with FDA guidelines. In the last few months, Johnson and Johnson has had one more plant close, and this plant closing meant a setback in the Johnson and Johnson – Merck relationship. The plant manufactured Mylanta, Immodium and Pepcid.

Newest plant closure for J and J

In May, just a couple of months ago, the Fort Washington, PA plant was closed by the FDA also except this time it was for non-compliance with codes. That plant manufactured children's Motrin and Tylenol. McNeil Consumer Healthcare ran the Fort Washington plant for Johnson and Johnson, and they have just laid off 300, or two thirds, or their employees. The Fort Washington plant was implicated in contaminating numerous shipments of children's Motrin and Tylenol which were recalled in 2009. May 6, 2010, 130 more bottles of Motrin and Tylenol were recalled because of a new Tylenol recall.

McNeil execs likely need drugs themselves

McNeil Consumer Healthcare has had the FDA on their case for years. McNeil and also the Fort Washington plant have been regularly under investigation since 2003, and McNeil has issued five recalls of products in the last 8 months. Consumers probably want to know if safe medicine is even accessible anymore. Resources Lancaster PA plant closing money.cnn.com/2010/07/16/news/companies/johnson_fda_new_inspection_report/index.htm Fort Washington plant closing money.cnn.com/2010/06/22/news/companies/tylenol_plant_inspection_history/index.htm?postversion=2010062318