J&J Reorganizes Consumer Group

On Apr. 4, Johnson & Johnson instituted a new structure for its Consumer Group. The group now includes a Global Franchise Organization that consists of four consumer categories: skin care for babies and adults, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, oral care and topical health, and women’s and intimate health, according to a Reuters report. Research and development will be among the Global Franchise Organization’s activities.

The company created four regional divisions for North America, Asia–Pacific and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa and Latin America. The divisions will market J&J’s various consumer product lines, with the exception of the North America region. The latter division will market all product lines except OTC medicines sold in the United States. A new US OTC business headed by Pat Mutchler will market those products, according to Reuters. In addition, Marc Robinson, head of J&J’s consumer-healthcare businesses, and Peter Luther, president of McNeil, will be given new assignments, according to Reuters.

J&J told employees of the organizational changes in an internal company memo in February 2011, according to Reuters. In the memo, the company said that the regional and franchise structure would enable quick reactions to changing market conditions and the efficient execution of regionwide initiatives, while accelerating growth in emerging markets, according to Reuters.

On Mar. 10, 2011, FDA filed a consent decree against McNeil, a subsidiary of J&J, for failing to comply with current good manufacturing practice requirements. The agency prevents McNeil from manufacturing and distributing drugs from its Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, facility until FDA determines that its operations comply with the law. The facility manufactured OTC products, including children’s Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec, and Benadryl products.

In addition, the decree requires McNeil to destroy all drugs that have been recalled from the Fort Washington; Las Piedras, Puerto Rico; and Lancaster, Pennsylvania; facilities since December 2009. McNeil must retain an independent expert to inspect the facilities and evaluate whether the violations have been corrected.