Executive Summary

Janssen pharmaceutical is a pharmaceutical company which is located in Belgium and its headquarters is in Beerse, Antwerp, Belgium. Janssen provides medicines in many areas in the health sector and several therapeutic areas.

The company also focuses on conducting great and deeper research in many different areas including neurological disorders, mental illness, oncology, allergies, fungal infections and gastrointestinal disorders.

In its development, manufacturing and distribution of its products, Janssen has had issues with various organizations, people and also the state over its products’ liabilities and has faced many lawsuits of which some have been settled and some have not been settled yet. 

-New Jersey Lawsuit about Opioids;

The state of New Jersey filed a lawsuit against Janssen Pharmaceuticals Company in November 2018. The state accused the company of minimizing or hiding the risks posed by opioid addiction when it was marketing the opioids targeting older people and other patients who had very little knowledge of opioids. This accusation led to this litigation and still the lawsuit is still on where no settlement has actually been reach or any compensation.

History of Janssen Pharmaceuticals

Janssen Pharmaceutical was established in 1953 by a Belgium researcher called Dr. Paul Janssen. He then established a research laboratory called Janssen pharmaceutica where he started doing his research for many therapies and medicines.

Dr. Janssen’s research laid quite a great foundation for over 80 medicines currently manufactured and developed by the company in saving many lives in the world today.

In 1961, Janssen pharmaceuticals joined Johnson & Johnson Company which is a pharmaceutical company as a subsidiary. It continued to search for solutions to change peoples’ lives.

In 1988, Janssen pharmaceuticals in Australia joined with Cilag, also another research company in chemical biotechnology. These two companies have highly joined forces and have spread widely all over the world and now they are called Janssen.

Subsidiaries of Janssen Pharmaceuticals

1. XO1 Limited

Janssen pharmaceuticals acquired Xo1 limited in March 2015. Xo1 limited is a privately owned biopharmaceutical company which was founded in order to help in developing the anti-thrombin antibody ichorcumab.

Ichorcumab is the human antibody which is developed to mimic the activities of the human antibody which produces ant coagulated state without necessary predispositioning to bleeding.

1. Corimmun

It is a drug development company that majorly focuses on therapeutics and heart diagnostics and vascular diseases. The company is located in Bayern Germany.

Janssen acquired Corimmun Company in July 2012. The company will help a lot in the areas of the heart and other vascular disorders or problems.

This acquisition shows that Janssen pharmaceuticals are highly committed to invest highly in the area of science specifically in the areas of great or urgent medical need. This ensures that new therapies are designed to improve the patience needs and also the lives of people all over the world.

Popular Products of Janssen Pharmaceuticals

1. Risperdal

Its generic name is called Risperidone. It is an antipsychotic medicine which mainly works by changing the chemicals in the human brain. It is mainly used to treat schizophrenia in both adults and children but children who are over 13 years old. 

This medicine is also used to treat the bipolar disorder symptoms in adults and children above 10 years old.

The medicine has some side effects and when you encounter them then consult the doctor e.g. difficulty breathing, swelling of your tongue, face and throat.

1. Nizoral Topical

Its generic name is called ketoconazole topical. It meant for the skin and it is antifungal drug used to treat infections such as dandruff, ringworm and athlete’s foot.

It is also used to treat pityriasis which is a fungal infection causing scaly discolored skin patches mostly on the chest, neck, legs or arms.

It should be used exactly as the prescription of the doctor and always wash your hands before and after using this medicine.

Its side effects mostly include thinning hair, shortness of breath, mild itching.

1. Prezcobix

Its generic name is called Cobicistat and darunavir. It contains a combination of darunavir and cobicistat where Darunavir is an antiviral medicine which prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from getting multiplied in the human body. Cobicistat on the other hand reduces the action of the enzymes in the liver that are used to break down some antiviral medicines.

With other medicines, it works well to treat HIV in adults, the virus that causes AIDS. It is not a cure for AIDS.

It should be used exactly as it was described by the doctor and should always be taken with food. Ensure frequent medical tests when using this medicine.

1. Elmiron

This is another product of Janssen pharmaceuticals. Its generic name is called pentosan polysulfate sodium. This medicine works like a blood thinner that is used to prevent blood clotting. It is also used to treat bladder pain and discomfort.

This medicine should be taken on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before any meal or 2 hours after having a meal.

Use this medicine as recommended by the doctor and do not use it for longer or shorter as prescribed by the doctor. Always check for certain effects when using this drug.

1. Axert

Its generic name is also called Almotriptan. This is used for the treatment of headache. It narrows the blood vessels around the brain and reduces certain substances in the body that can always trigger headache pain and nausea.

It is used to treat headaches which are migraine in adults and children or adolescents who are 12 years old. It always treats headache that has always began and cannot prevent any headache from occurring or happening.

1. Darzalex

The generic name for this product is called Daratumumab. It is a monoclonal antibody that is being used to block certain protein in the body that affects tumor cell growth. These antibodies are produced and only to target and destroy certain cells in the body.

It is also used to treat bone marrow cancer where it is usually given after all other treatments having failed totally to function.

Its common side effects includes; shortness of breath, fever, swelling in your hands or feet, trouble getting a sleep.

This medicine is given as an infusion into the vein. You will need frequent medical tests and it can affect the blood typing tests up to at least 6 months after stopping to take this medication.

1. Xarelto

It generic name is Rivaroxaban. This medicine is used to treat a blood clotting type called Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) which can easily lead to blood clotting in the lungs.

It is used in people with a heart rhythm disorder so that it can lower the risk of stroke which the blood clotting can cause. It is also given together with aspirin to lower the risk of serious heart problems, stroke and heart attack.

You should not use this medicine if you have; a bleeding disorder, uncontrolled high blood pressure, stomach or intestinal bleeding or ulcers and hemorrhagic stroke.

Take this medicine as prescribed by the doctor and do not over or under dose.

Product Recalls of Janssen Pharmaceuticals

1. 2018 Ortho – Novum Recall

Janssen pharmaceuticals issued a voluntary recall of Ortho – Novum in November 2018. This recall was due to incorrect veridate instructions. This recall was up to the pharmacy level. The patient information which was provided inside did not at all include the appropriate of the required information or instructions for the veridate dispenser.

The major risk that was involved in taking Ortho – Novum without using the clear guidelines and instructions for the correct use is that the affected patient could take the pills in the manner in which is not correct which could result in breakthrough bleeding and pregnancy which is not intended.

The Ortho – Novum pills are mainly used in the prevention of pregnancy for those who prefer to use these pills as the method of preventing pregnancy or as contraceptive.

The Ortho – Novum itself was very safe with the right instructions inside. This recall only affected the distribution in the US. No lawsuit has been filed concerning this recall yet and no adverse reactions have been reported so far.

1. 2013 Risperdal Consta Recall

Janssen pharmaceuticals made a recall in September 2013 for Risperdal Consta, a product they manufacture. This recall was aimed at wholesalers, distributors, health providers and pharmacies.

This medicine is an anti-psychotic medication which is mainly used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Unlike the Risperdal basic pill, it is injected.

This recall was made after discovering a mold during the routine checking and testing processes. This prompted the company to make this recall. 

Since this recall, there has not been any complain or lawsuit filed concerning this recall and the reactions thereafter of any effects of this mold.

Janssen Pharmaceuticals Settlements

1. Xarelto Litigation settlement

In March 2019, Janssen pharmaceuticals together with Bayer pharmaceuticals settled $775 million over Xarelto claims and lawsuits. This case came about after patients who were affected sued the drug makers over failure to warn patients of the danger the drug would cause of bleeding episodes.

This settlement put to an end over 25,000 lawsuits by the state and the federal claims that surrounded this issue.

1. Montana $5.9 Settlement

In March 2014, Janssen agreed to pay and settle a claim that was filed by Montana physicians for an amount of $5.9 million.

In this case, the company was accused of employing illegal and deceptive means in the marketing of antipsychotic drug Risperdal. The suit alleged that Janssen highly deceived consumers and Montana that the product is very safe and quite effective for various conditions.

The company agreed to settle the case for $5.9 million but did not admit any liability or wrongdoing.

Sources:

https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/janssen-pharmaceuticalshttps://www.janssen.com/australia/about-us/our-historyhttps://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm625012.html

https://www.drugs.com/manufacturer/janssen-pharmaceuticals-inc-74.html