The hits just keep coming for drug giant J&J who recently issued recalls for some its most popular and profitable products like Childrens Tylenol, and just last week, its Acuvue contact lenses had to be pulled from the Asian and European markets. Yesterday, J&Js DePuy Orthopedic division recalled the ASR XL Acetabular System, a hip socket used in traditional hip replacement, and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System, a partial hip replacement that involves placing a metal cap on the ball of the femur, a method intended to preserve more bone.
The recall came after at least 2 years of complaints to J&J and FDA about these devices. DePuy issued a statement and a Recall Guide which details the actions patients should follow. DePuy has said that it would pay for replacements and the costs of surgery in patients whose devices have failed. Despite assurances from DePuy that most surgeries with the implants had been successful some orthopedic surgeons have said that between 12 and 13% of patients who had the DePuy devices implanted required revision surgery. Problems with these devices had been reported previously by The New York Times.
David Floyd, president of DePuy, said in a statement that the recall would be a concern for patients and their family members and for surgeons. We are committed to assisting patients and health care providers by providing information through multiple channels and paying for the costs of doctor visits, tests and procedures associated with the recall, he said.
