J&J Plans to Improve Manufacturing Quality
Johnson & Johnson’s CEO William Weldon told The Wall Street Journal this week that the company will change its manufacturing operations and create a new position responsible for company-wide quality that reports directly to him. The company’s numerous recalls and manufacturing problems during the past year have resulted in a Congressional hearing and harsh words from FDA inspectors—in addition to shaken consumer confidence.
According to WSJ’s report, J&J appointed company veteran Ajit Shetty to head the quality group, which will oversee the company’s three major business segments: pharmaceuticals, medical device, and consumer. Chief quality officers for each of these business units will report to Shetty’s group. Weldon also told WSJ that the managers of J&J’s 120 global manufacturing facilities will report to the new quality group.
Weldon told WSJ that he understands that the recalls “have sapped trust and confidence in J&J,” saying that the company has “a lot to do to earn that back,” echoing his sentiments in his May 7 open letter posted on J&J’s blog. A company-wide emphasis on manufacturing quality is a step in the right direction.
See related posts:
A Timeline of J&J/McNeil’s Recent Recall Troubles
J&J CEO Invited to Second Congressional Hearing
Five More Lots Added to January 2010 Tylenol and Benadryl Recall
More Trouble for J&J: Blacksmith Brands’ PediaCare Recall and J&J’s “Phantom Recall”
