Johnson & Johnson Pays RM18.6 Billion to 22 Women Because Talcum Powder Gave Them Cancer

The pharmaceutical giant, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) was recently ordered by a Missouri court to pay £3.6 billion (RM18.6 billion) to 22 women who claimed that the iconic talcum powder caused them to suffer from ovarian cancer. This is not the first case against the company as it has been fighting some 9000 legal cases related to the talcum powder.

According to BBC, the women and families involved in the case revealed during the six-week-long trial that they developed ovarian cancer after decades of using the baby powder and other talc products by the company. Six of the 22 women have already passed away due to ovarian cancer.

Source: the sun

The lead counsel for the women, Mark Lanier, stated that the company had covered up evidence of asbestos being present in its products for over 40 years, Science Alert reports.

Mark Lanier said, “We hope this verdict will get the attention of the J&J board and that it will lead them to better inform the medical community and the public about the connection between asbestos, talc, and ovarian cancer. The company should pull talc from the market before causing further anguish, harm, and death from a terrible disease. J&J sells the same powders in a marvelously safe corn starch variety. If J&J insists on continuing to sell talc, they should mark it with a serious warning.”

Source: science alert

However, the company has denied the link between the disease to their products. In an official statement by Johnson & Johnson,

“The evidence in the case was simply overwhelmed by the prejudice of this type of proceeding. Johnson & Johnson remains confident that its products do not contain asbestos and do not cause ovarian cancer.” 

The company also stated that it is disappointed with the verdict and will file an appeal soon.

Meanwhile, there are still arguments on both sides whether talc, which is used in talcum powder can actually cause cancer. Talc in its natural form can sometimes be found in close proximity to asbestos. However, all talcum products in the US have reportedly been asbestos-free ever since the 1970s but studies are still ongoing to determine whether asbestos-free talc has similar risk of causing cancer.

What do you think of this case?

Also read: Malaysians To Be Careful of Johnson & Johnson’s, Baby Powder Can Cause Cancer