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Updated: Internal Cosmetic Talc Litigation Media Coverage September 07, 2016
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Bloomberg Law: J&J Talc & GM Ignition Switch Settled (Audio)
Sep 7, 2016 | Bloomberg
Benjamin Zipursky, a professor at Fordham Law School, discusses how Johnson and Johnson has persuaded a New Jersey Judge to throw out two women’s lawsuits blaming the company’s talcum powder for their ovarian cancer. -
Two Talc-Ovarian Cancer Lawsuits Dismissed by NJ Judge
Sep 6, 2016 | Medscape
By Nick Mulcahy
A New Jersey judge dismissed two women's lawsuits last week that blamed talcum powder from Johnson & Johnson for causing their ovarian cancer, according to a report from Bloomberg News. -
Mining Company Named as a Defendant in Talcum Powder Lawsuits
Sep 6, 2016 | The Ring of Fire Network
http://trofire.com/2016/09/06/mining-company-named-defendant-talcum-powder-lawsuits/ -
WORTH WATCHING STOCKS: HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INCORPORATED (NASDAQ:HBAN), LIBERTY INTERACTIVE CORP (NASDAQ:LVNTA), INTEL CORPORATION (NASDAQ:INTC), TRINA SOLAR LIMITED (NYSE:TSL), JOHNSON & JOHNSON (NYSE:JNJ)
Sep 7, 2016 | KC Register
By Eric Hanson
https://www.kcregister.com/worth-watching-stocks-huntington-bancshares-incorporated-nasdaqhban-liberty-interactive-corp-nasdaqlvnta-intel-corporation-nasdaqintc-trina-solar-limited-nysetsl-johnson-johnson/32998/ -
Experts Views on Momentum Stocks: Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB)
Sep 6, 2016 | Seneca Globe
http://www.senecaglobe.com/experts-views-on-momentum-stocks-johnson-johnson-nysejnj-biogen-inc-nasdaqbiib/338172/ -
DS Smith plc (LON:SMDS) says performance in line with views: Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX), HSBC Holdings plc (ADR) (NYSE:HSBC)
Sep 7, 2016 | Benchmark Monitor
http://www.benchmarkmonitor.com/ds-smith-plc-lonsmds-says-performance-in-line-with-views-johnson-johnson-nysejnj-fedex-corporation-nysefdx-hsbc-holdings-plc-adr-nysehsbc/1889342/ -
Healthcare Volatile Stocks: Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc (NYSE:VRX), Mylan N.V. (NASDAQ:MYL), Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)
| Benchmark Monitor
http://www.benchmarkmonitor.com/healthcare-volatile-stocks-valeant-pharmaceuticals-intl-inc-nysevrx-mylan-n-v-nasdaqmyl-abbott-laboratories-nyseabt-johnson-johnson-nysejnj/1889352/ -
Ooma, Inc. (NYSE:OOMA) Soared 10.60%: Windstream Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:WIN), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), Theravance Biopharma, Inc. (NASDAQ:TBPH)
| Benchmark Monitor
http://www.benchmarkmonitor.com/ooma-inc-nyseooma-soared-10-60-windstream-holdings-inc-nasdaqwin-johnson-johnson-nysejnj-theravance-biopharma-inc-nasdaqtbph/1888841/ -
States begin testing J&J baby products for cancer-causing agents
Sep 6, 2016 | Money Control (CNBC-TV)
By Priya Sheth
Madhya Pradesh officials have collected samples from eight cities in the state. The test results will be sent to India's child rights body National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) by this week. -
Recommended by Conflicting views on talc-cancer link as US women sue Rio Tinto and Johnson & Johnson
Sep 7, 2016 | Stuff
By Sarah Danckert
Concerns are running high in Australia about the links between talcum powder and ovarian cancer after theSydney Morning Herald revealed mining giant Rio Tinto was being sued alongside Johnson & Johnson by women in the US. -
Pharmalot, Pharmalittle: India plans tougher penalties for bribing doctors
Sep 7, 2016 | Stat
By Ed Silverman
https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2016/09/06/india-doctors-bribes-novartis/
Client Attorney Privileged/Attorney Work Product/At Request of Counsel
US Coverage
APAC Coverage
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Bloomberg Law: J&J Talc & GM Ignition Switch Settled (Audio)
Sep 7, 2016 | Bloomberg
Benjamin Zipursky, a professor at Fordham Law School, discusses how Johnson and Johnson has persuaded a New Jersey Judge to throw out two women’s lawsuits blaming the company’s talcum powder for their ovarian cancer. The ruling by Judge Nelson Johnson could help the company fend off more than 1,000 other suits accusing the drugmaker of ignoring studies that linked its talc to ovarian cancer. And, Bob Hilliard, the plaintiff’s attorney in the GM ignition switch cases, discusses how General Motors has settled the final two bellwether ignition switch cases before they went to court; another victory for the car-maker as it fights mass litigation of ignition switch flaws, which were responsible for at least 124 deaths. They speak with Bloomberg Law host June Grasso on Bloomberg Radio’s "Bloomberg Law."
producer: David Sucherman +1-212-617-7663 or dsucherman@bloomberg.net
Download: Bloomberg Law: J&J Talc & GM Ignition Switch Settled (Audio)
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Two Talc-Ovarian Cancer Lawsuits Dismissed by NJ Judge
Sep 6, 2016 | Medscape
By Nick Mulcahy
A New Jersey judge dismissed two women's lawsuits last week that blamed talcum powder from Johnson & Johnson for causing their ovarian cancer, according to a report from Bloomberg News.
Judge Nelson Johnson in Atlantic City ruled that the women could not produce sufficient medical evidence to show that Johnson's Baby Powder caused the cancer.
The company lost two similar trials in state court in St. Louis, Missouri.
There are more than 1000 suits in state and federal courts accusing the drugmaker of ignoring observational evidence that tied its talc products (Shower to Shower and Johnson's Baby Powder) to ovarian cancer.
The trials in New Jersey had been scheduled to start in October.
Judge Johnson said testimony from plaintiff-hired experts about the links between talc and ovarian cancer suffered from "multiple deficiencies" and did not provide legitimate grounds for the suits, according to the news report.
"The court's decision today appropriately reflects the science and facts at issue in this litigation," Carol Goodrich, a Johnson & Johnson spokeswoman, said in a statement. "Science, research, clinical evidence, and decades of studies by medical experts around the world continue to support the safety of cosmetic talc."
Ted Meadows, an Alabama-based lawyer representing the two plaintiffs, Brandi Carl and Diana Balderrama, said the New Jersey judge's ruling conflicted with other judges' findings that there is sufficient evidence linking talc powder use and ovarian cancer, which in turn have allowed cases to go to trial. "We are planning to appeal his ruling," said Meadows last week.
In a 33-page ruling, Judge Johnson said that paid experts' review of the links between talc and cancer suffered from "narrowness and shallowness" and did not provide reliable evidence that talc could cause the disease.
But other judges have come to different conclusions and have allowed court cases to proceed.
In a St. Louis trial in February of this year, a state-court jury ordered the giant maker of healthcare products to pay $10 million in compensatory damages and $62 million in a punishment award to the family of Jackie Fox from Birmingham, Alabama, who died of ovarian cancer in 2015 at the age of 62, as reported by Medscape Medical News.
That jury decision was the first financial award in a lawsuit related to this issue.
The trials have put a spotlight on the long-studied subject of the use of talc powder in the genital area and an increased risk for ovarian cancer, which has been repeatedly — but not always — found in epidemiologic studies, as reported by Medscape Medical News.
The only current consensus among researchers and organizations such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer on the link is that talc powder is a "possible" carcinogen (Lancet Oncol.2006;7:295-296).
The New York Times recently reported that Johnson & Johnson's talc supplier added warning labels in 2006, but J&J did not add similar warnings to its products, according to litigation documents.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/868437
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Mining Company Named as a Defendant in Talcum Powder Lawsuits
Sep 6, 2016 | The Ring of Fire Network
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Sep 7, 2016 | KC Register
By Eric Hanson
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Experts Views on Momentum Stocks: Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB)
Sep 6, 2016 | Seneca Globe
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Sep 7, 2016 | Benchmark Monitor
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| Benchmark Monitor
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| Benchmark Monitor
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States begin testing J&J baby products for cancer-causing agents
Sep 6, 2016 | Money Control (CNBC-TV)
By Priya Sheth
Madhya Pradesh officials have collected samples from eight cities in the state. The test results will be sent to India's child rights body National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) by this week.
Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand have begun testing of Johnson & Johnson's baby powder and shampoo to check the presence of cancer causing agents. Madhya Pradesh officials have collected samples from eight cities in the state. The test results will be sent to India's child rights body National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) by this week. Andhra Pradesh is also in the process of forming a committee to order testing of Johnson & Johnson's products. NCPCR has been pushing states to issue test results at the earliest. It had written to chief secretaries of MP, AP, Assam, Jharkhand, Rajasthan on May 17. Watch video for more.
http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/states-begin-testing-jj-baby-products-for-cancer-causing-agents_7412741.html -
Recommended by Conflicting views on talc-cancer link as US women sue Rio Tinto and Johnson & Johnson
Sep 7, 2016 | Stuff
By Sarah Danckert
Concerns are running high in Australia about the links between talcum powder and ovarian cancer after theSydney Morning Herald revealed mining giant Rio Tinto was being sued alongside Johnson & Johnson by women in the US.
Lawyers for the women have launched the cases armed with no fewer than 15 scientific studies, including World Health Organisation and US Health Department research, to support their claim in a trial that will be held before a jury in the US state of Louisiana. In Australia, the "jury" on the science is still out.
In a statement Ovarian Cancer Australia, which counts Minister for Revenue and Financial Services Kelly O'Dwyer as an ambassador, recommended women stop using talcum powder on their genital area.
"Studies have shown a link between using talcum powder on the genital area and ovarian cancer. However, questions remain as to whether the use of talcum powder causes ovarian cancer," the organisation said.
"Ovarian Cancer Australia cannot comment on the details of the case in the US overnight. However, we recommend women stop using talcum powder [on their genital area] if possible," it said. The organisation also pointed to other risk factors for women including genetics and lifestyle factors.
Cancer Council scientific adviser Bernard Stewart, of the faculty of medicine at the University of New South Wales, said he believed there was no "rational basis" for concern.
"I believe a rational argument is the very concern is likely to do more damage than the talcum powder," Professor Stewart said.
"If there were a substantial body of evidence, then authorities up to and including health departments have a statutory responsibility to take action and not only are we talking about there being no action by Australian or NSW authorities, I am able to say no action to the best of my knowledge by any national health authority in the world."
He said if the science did point to a link, even a probable link, there would be warnings or product withdrawals, neither of which had occurred in any country.
Terry Slevin, the chairman of the Cancer Council's occupational and environmental cancer risk committee, said more research was needed.
"This is not something that should cause anxiety or concern," Slevin said. "But there is no requirement to use talc, so if it reduces anxiety then don't use it."
He said there were two large studies in the US that had found no direct link.
Despite conflicting views on the risks of women using talcum powder in the genital region, two women in the US have won damages totalling $178 million after separate juries in Missouri found their ovarian cancer was linked to their use of Johnson's Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products.
According to the US studies presented in the claims filed last week by the women in Louisiana, there is ample evidence of a link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer.
The complaints filed by the four women and the husband of a woman who died list 15 separate studies that have found a link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer.
Four of the five women – 44-year-old Linda Blazio, 44-year-old Peggy Vallot, 29-year old Lauren Matthews and 66-year-old Olivia Prout – were diagnosed with cancer between 2011 and 2015.
The fifth woman, Faye Roser, is deceased and her husband Paul Roser is suing on her behalf.
The studies include findings from the National Toxicology Program – an inter-agency program run by the US Department of Health to review toxicology of products.
A 1993 study on the toxicity of non-asbestiform talc "found clear evidence of carcinogenic activity".
"Talc was found to be a carcinogen with or without the presence of asbestos-like fibres."
In 2006 the International Association for the Research of Cancer – part of the World Health Organisation – released a paper that "classified perineal use of talc-based body powder as a 'Group 2B' human carcinogen".
"IARC, which is universally accepted as the international authority on cancer issues, concluded that studies from around the world consistently found an increase risk in ovarian cancer in women from perineal use of talc," according to the complaints.
Professor Stewart said the Group 2B classification related to products that possibly cause cancer, while Group 2A classification are products that probably cause cancer.
"It clearly suggests there is not enough evidence," Professor Stewart said.
The US complainants also list a 2003 meta-analysis of scientific studies into the alleged link. That study re-analysed data from 16 studies published prior to 2003 that covered 11,933 patients and found a 33 per cent increase in ovarian cancer risk among talc users.
"The defendants failed to inform its customers and end users of its products of a known catastrophic health hazard associated with the use of its products," the complainants state.
"In addition the defendants procured and disseminated false, misleading and biased information regarding the safety of its products to the public."
Rio Tinto, which sold its talc unit Luzenac America in 2011, has been contacted for comment.
A spokeswoman for Johnson & Johnson said it would "continue to defend the safety of Johnson's Baby Powder".
"Multiple scientific and regulatory reviews have determined that talc is safe for use in cosmetic products and the labelling on Johnson's Baby Powder is appropriate," the spokeswoman said.
"For over 100 years, Johnson & Johnson has provided consumers with a safe choice for cosmetic powder products and we will continue to work hard to exceed consumer expectations and evolving product preferences."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/83999801/conflicting-views-on-talccancer-link-as-us-women-sue-rio-tinto-and-johnson--johnson
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Pharmalot, Pharmalittle: India plans tougher penalties for bribing doctors
Sep 7, 2016 | Stat
By Ed Silverman
Client Attorney Privileged/Attorney Work Product/At Request of Counsel
US Coverage
APAC Coverage
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