J&J/Ethicon
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Wound care division will "phase out production and marketing of selected general wound care product lines - including eye pads, sponges, gauze pads, tapes and cleaners - in the U.S. within the next six months," firm says in July 1 letter to distributors. J&J/Ethicon instead will focus on developing drug/device combination products for advanced wound care, such as Band-Aid liquid bandage and Dermabond topical skin adhesive, which are manufactured by Closure Medical and marketed by J&J (1"The Tan Sheet" March 18, 2002, p. 19). Several Band-Aid products, such as Steri-Pad gauze pads, are affected by the phase-out, which includes 36 brands. J&J/Ethicon plans to close its manufacturing facility in Sherman, Texas by Dec. 31 and says the move will affect roughly 510 employees at the plant...