Johnson & Johnson Unit Minimized Risks of Drug -Report

Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, a unit of Johnson & Johnson, notified doctors that it minimized the risks of a popular drug for schizophrenia in promotional materials, according to the Associated Press.

Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, a unit of Johnson & Johnson, notified doctors that it minimized the risks of a popular drug for schizophrenia in promotional materials, according to the Associated Press. Janssen sent a two-page letter to health care workers this week to clarify the risks of the drug, the report said, citing Janssen spokeswoman Carol Goodrich. Goodrich did not immediately return a phone message left by Reuters. Last year the Food and Drug Administration told several makers of antipsychotic drugs to update their product labels. The agency determined that Janssen’s promotional material minimized the risk of strokes, diabetes, and other potentially fatal complications, according to the AP. The agency also said that Janssen had made misleading claims that the medication was safer than similar drugs. (Source: Associated Press: Reuters Health News: July 2004)