J&J Unit Recalls 16,000 Bottles Of Risperdal For Unusual Odor

Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., a unit of Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), recalled about 16,000 bottles of its Risperdal schizophrenia drug on reports of an uncharacteristic odor.
The recall affects one lot--shipped between Aug. 27, 2010, and Feb. 15, 2011--thought to contain trace amounts of tribromoanisole, the byproduct of a chemical preservative sometimes applied to wooden pallets. Although it isn't considered toxic, TBA can generate an offensive odor, the company said.
J&J has been grappling with a series of product recalls that span its diversified businesses, from over-the-counter medicines to hip-replacement parts to surgical sutures. The actions have hurt sales and tarnished J&J's once sterling reputation for quality. Among its responsive actions, the company has shuffled its management and closed a plant outside Philadelphia.