Abstract
The purpose of this research paper is that to present the difficulties Procter & Gamble faced in the early 1980¡¦s due to a correlation between the company¡¦s Rely tampon and the disease Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). Also, how the company handled the findings before and after new laws were passed by Congress giving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate medical devices, which included tampons. Thereafter, I will analyze the ethical issues relevant to this case within a SWOT analysis.
Introduction
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is about how companies manage their business processes to produce a positive impact on society. Companies introduce new products in markets, usually after testing concludes that the product is safe for use or consumption. It is nearly impossible for a company to truly know all of the potential risks a brand new product may have, even after thorough testing. However, once a company receives reports that its product may be causing harm to consumers, it is their responsibility to conduct more research and tests to rule-out any possible truth in the reports. This is what a socially responsible company would do, one who is preoccupied not only with their bottom-line, but one that is also worried about its customers.
After Procter & Gamble introduced its Rely tampon in the market in the 1970¡¦s, the company began receiving reports as early as 1975 that the product was causing a rare but possibly deadly disease, TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome). This product was not made with cotton as the competitors¡¦ tampons. The Rely tampon was made with synthetics, like carboxymethylcellulose and polyester in order to be the first extended wear and most absorbent tampon in the market.
I will first discuss these reports and what the company¡¦s initial response was. Next, I will elaborate on the case and the company¡¦s course of action following the passing of new laws and further research conducted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the illnesses and the women affected by these decisions. Following, I will conduct a SWOT Analysis of the company in which I will include relevant ethic theories pertaining to the case. Finally, I will conclude and provide recommendations based on my findings.
Company History
William Procter, who emigrated from England, and James Gamble, who emigrated from Ireland, met...
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...er menstruation or any accidents.
References: www.pg.com/translations/history_pdf/english_history.pdf http://finance.yahoo.com/q/pr?s=PG http://www.hoovers.com/gillette/--ID__10655--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml http://sev.prnewswire.com/retail/20041209/CLTH02809122004-1.html http://www.pg.com/content/pdf/04_news/agl_2004_shareholders_speech.pdf http://www.mum.org./relyart7.htm http://www.citizen.org/congress/civjus/tort/articles.cfm?ID=802 Armand, Lione, Kapecki, Jon. 1975. ¡§Testing Tampons in Rochester: just what can you Rely on?¡¨ Jul23-Aug5. Rochester Patriot. Vol.3, No.14
Meadows, Michelle. 2000. ¡§Tampon Safety, TSS Now Rare, but Women Still Should Take Care¡¨. March-April. FDA Consumer Magazine. http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2000/200_tss.html
Klein, Joel MD. 2004. ¡§Toxic Shock Syndrome¡¨. Nemours Foundation. January, 2004. http://kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=207&cat_id=20015&article_set=20277
Foote, Susan B. 1984. ¡§Corporate responsibility in a changing legal environment¡¨. California Management Review. Spring. V.26, p. 217-228.
Hostman, Barry M. 2000. ¡§ Author Found a Web of Paranoia, Secrecy¡¨ 01March. The Cincinnati Post.
Did you know, the personal care products you use every day have dozens of toxic chemicals that link to cancer, asthma, learning disabilities, and more? A campaign community working to build a healthier planet called The Story of Stuff and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, created a seven minute film called Chemicals in Beauty Products: The Story of Cosmetics. The purpose of this campaign film is to inform its viewers, specifically women and moms, about the toxic chemicals in our everyday personal care products, from lipstick to baby shampoo, that we may not know about. It addresses the top harmful chemicals that we are putting into our bodies, the products they are most likely found in, and
Following the proper guidelines for reducing the risk of transmission of TSEs in a clinical setting, the risk has been greatly reduced. As mentioned before no iatrogenic transmission from a medical instrument has been recorded since 1976 since following the standard guidelines. In an experiment by Amin et al., they examined the risk of transmission of vCJD via contact tonometry. They outlined that transmission could be further reduced by using larger volumes of washes for extended periods of time and also adding wiping between washes (16). This could help in the future to completely eradicate TSE transmission completely by increasing sterilisation methods. Proper training on all aspects of transmission of TSEs through medical equipment and proper sterilisation methods should be updated just to keep staff up to date to prevent the risks of TSEs transmission.
Whenever someone hears the phrase, “toxic shock syndrome”, they think of tampons. Most people associate this syndrome with tampons because tampon boxes clearly warn toxic shock syndrome as a possible condition that can result in the ...
Is it time to bring OCs over the counter?. (2010). Contraceptive Technology Update, 31(7), 77-
Gueren, C. (2013). Is the NuvaRing actually going to kill you?: A look at the evidence. Women’s Health Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/nuvaring
The subject of my paper will be an investigation into the manufacture of silicone breast implants by Dow Corning and what caused this scandal to become corporate crime. This subject is of special interest to me because my mother has been in litigation with Dow Corning since the late 1980's. I will use several research methods for development of this research paper. They will include researching books and the use of the internet. I believe that my findings will show that for more than thirty years Dow Corning manufactured and distributed an unsafe product with the knowledge that its recipients were being put in danger. Dow Corning then tried various evasive measures to escape from their liability. This is still a current problem with many women still in litigation with Dow Corning today.
When it comes health care, feminine care is often overlooked because it is not usually life threatening with some radical exceptions. However, every woman can potentially be targeted by any one of the diseases or infections that have been proven to be prevented by using contraceptive methods that make changes in hormone secretion. Not only does oral contraception have significant medical relevance, but so do intrauterine devices. IUD 's have been proven to treat and prevent many of the same diseases as oral contraception. Even if the prevention of numerous types of cancers, tumors, and other life threatening medical conditions was not a good enough reason for insurances to provide coverage for the cost of birth control methods, we can also take a look at what types of medications are in fact covered by many private health insurance
The harshness of the chemicals in disposable diapers frightened me. The most notorious chemical found in single use diapers are Dioxins. Thomas Corriher (n.a.) states,
Urinary catheters can be manufactured from latex, plastic, silicone or Teflon®. None of these materials is entirely biocompatible or complication-free. The surface of latex catheters is much more uneven than silicone counterparts, which predisposes to bacterial adherence.22 Moreover, toxic effects in vitro and proinflammatory responses in vivo, are more common in latex catheters, and long-term exposure can lead to polypoid cystitis.23-25 Silicone catheters have larger lumen and are less associated with infection compared to latex catheters. However, they are less comfortable due to increased rigidity.26,27
This SWOT analysis focuses on Johnson & Johnson, the world’s most comprehensive and broadly based healthcare product manufacturer with more than 200 operating companies. In 1886, three brothers, Robert Wood Johnson, James Wood Johnson and Edward Mead Johnson, found the company in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The company has a portfolio of subsidiaries that made medical devices, medical diagnostic equipment, biologics, pharmaceuticals as well as healthcare products. Johnson & Johnson is involved with numerous causes and advertising campaigns, which encourage healthy lifestyles, and support those people who care for the health of others. Johnson & Johnson is one of the worlds most admired and trusted companies. There is an increasing pressure
Johnson & Johnson, a healthcare company that has dominated its industry for several decades, is currently undergoing managerial upheaval in light of recent blunders amongst its top-tier managers. It has spent years priding itself on appeasing stakeholders and being a safe provider of various pharmaceuticals, but product recalls and subsequent revenue drops have plagued the company as of late. Alex Gorsky spearheads Johnson & Johnson’s revival after previous CEO William Weldon resigned due to missteps. The cause of which stems from misinterpretation of common business ethics through poor leadership and social responsibility that damage the stakeholders.
About one in every four women with incontinence said they used sanitary pads to absorb leaked urine. Sanitary pads are made to absorb menstrual blood or flow. However, they do not provide the same level of protection as Incontinence pads. Also, reports has it that about another 17 percent of women with incontinence reported using tissues, paper towels, or toilet paper rather than incontinence pads specifically designed for such purpose.
This case involves a corporate response to AIDS in the workplace. The return to work of Paul Cronan, a person with AIDS, after a much publicized law suit, led to a walkout of his coworkers. This case documents the circumstances which preceded the work stoppage. Analyzing this case from Paul Cronan’s supervisors point of view there are three main ethical issues to be considered: duty to protect the interests of the company, New England Telephone (NET); obligation to maintain the rights of the other employees; and duty to provide for the safety and privacy of Paul Cronan.
Tylenol's 1982 ordeal has become a classic example of a successful crisis management. Johnson & Johnson faced a major crisis when their leading pain-killer medicine, extra-strength Tylenol, was found to have caused the fatalities of seven people in Chicago, Illinois. It was reported that unknown suspect or suspects took the product off store shelves, tampered it with deadly cyanide and returned to the shelves. As a result, seven people died and consumers lost confidence and panicked over hearing the news of this incident. Tylenol received massive media coverage which led to an expeditious communication of event to the public. Johnson & Johnson (J & J) took a huge financial hit when it had to recall and destroy approximately $100 million dollars worth of inventory in addition to the loss incurred by the company when the public reacted to the incident (Campbell et. al., n.d.). Tylenol's approach was to pull off the products as quickly as possible, stopped production, cooperated with the investigation and the media and halted all forms of advertisement or marketing of the product. Furthermore, Johnson's & Johnson's took the initiative to protect and improve their product packaging which allowed them to regain the public's confidence and paved the way for improved tamper-resistant packaging now used by myriad of manufacturing companies. The fatalities occurred between September 29th to October 1st of the year 1982 and by November, Tylenol had already reintroduced the product with improved tamper-resistant packaging. To regain the public's attention and confidence, Johnson's & Johnson's launched a dynamic marketing campaign to put the product's name before the public.
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