WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Democrats are investigating an alleged phantom recall by Johnson & Johnson, in which the company hired a contractor to buy up defective painkillers instead of issuing an immediate recall.
The company's handling of problems with its Motrin tablets came to light last week at a Congressional hearing to examine ongoing quality issues with J&J medications.
According to a memo obtained by Congress, the contractor instructed employees to 'act like a regular' customer when purchasing the packets of Motrin. J&J later recalled the medication after Food and Drug Administration officials learned about the contractor purchases.
The chairman of the House investigations committee asks J&J to turn over more information in a May 28 letter.
