Health care products
Founded in USA in 1886 by the Johnson brothers. Operations in 3 segments: Consumer Health Care, Medical Devices, and Pharmaceuticals. Johnson & Johnson has more than 250 companies located in 60 countries, and products sold in over 175 countries. In 2023 J&J spun off its consumer health business, named Kenvue.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Nov 2024)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Johnson & Johnson
Praise
Criticism
Information
CDP Climate Change score of A-
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of A-.
Source: CDP
(2023)
Access to Medicine ranking
This company received the second highest score in the Access to Medicine Index 2022, a ranking of the world's 20 largest pharmaceutical companies on their efforts to increase access to medicine in developing countries. The ranking is based on their scores in each Technical Area, with Product Delivery weighted most highly, followed by R&D and Governance of Access.
CDP Forests Score of B
In 2022, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts towards removing commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation from its direct operations and supply chains. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Forests Score of B.
Source: CDP
(2022)
Green Power Partner
This company is listed on the EPA Green Power Partnership website (USA) as using renewable energy for 72% of its organisation-wide electricity use in the USA.
Source: EPA
(2023)
100% on Corporate Equality Index
This company is listed as having best practice on a report card on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in corporate America.
Source: Human Rights Campaign
(2021)
CDP Water Security score of B
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security score of B.
Source: CDP
(2023)
10/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company was assessed in 2022 and received a score of 10/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
60/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 60/100 in the Pharmaceuticals category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 7 Feb 2021). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global
(2021)
30.2% in Nature Benchmark
The Nature Benchmark ranks 816 companies across 20 industries on their efforts to protect our environment and its biodiversity. Companies were assessed in three phases between 2022 and 2024 using three measurement areas: governance and strategy; social inclusion and community impact; and ecosystems and biodiversity. This company was assessed in 2022 and is ranked #75/816, with a total score of 30.2/100.
Delaying action on plastic pollution
The Talking Trash 2020 report by Changing Markets investigates the corporate playbook of false solutions to the plastic crisis. It found that the industry is actively delaying and derailing ambitious action on plastic pollution in its fight to maintain business as usual for as long as possible. For example, this company is signed up to 3 nice-sounding voluntary initiatives to address plastic waste, while also participating in two industry associations which lobby against legislation that could restrict plastic, or make corporations responsible for managing the waste they create, financially or otherwise.
Source: Changing Markets
(2020)
Palm oil sourcing in Indonesia
A 2022 BBC News, Mongabay and the Gecko Project released a joint investigation that looked into a scheme that was intended to help lift millions of Indonesians out of poverty and cut them in on the spoils of the global palm oil boom, but has instead been plagued by allegations of exploitation and illegality. They identified 13 companies, including this one, that have sourced palm oil from producers alleged to have withheld plasma (a portion of large-scale plantations to be shared with local communities), or the profits from plasma, from Indonesian communities over the past eight years. The losses suffered across Indonesia by communities owed plasma could stretch into the hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Protests by local tribes over plasma are violently suppressed by Indonesian authorities.
Source: Mongabay
(2022)
Healthcare fraud
In 2013, in one of the largest health care fraud settlements in US history, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay more than $2.2 billion to resolve criminal and civil liability arising from allegations relating to the prescription drugs Risperdal, Invega and Natrecor, including promotion for uses not approved as safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and payment of kickbacks to physicians and to the nation's largest long-term care pharmacy provider.
Source: US Dept of Justice
(2013)
Risperdal lawsuits
As a result of the effects and inappropriate marketing of its antipsychotic drug Risperdal, this company was fined US$1.2b in 2012 in the Arkansas Federal Court due to claims the company downplayed risks and that over 240,000 cases of Medicaid fraud and 4,500 deceptive practices had been caused by the manufacturers marketing activity. Also in 2012 the company settled lawsuits with 36 US states and the District of Columbia regarding improper marketing techniques, specifically for the treatment of children. The cases were settled by the payment of US$181m. Other state cases were also settled including US$327m in South Carolina, US$258m in Louisiana and US$158m in Texas. The company continues to face hundreds of lawsuits regarding Risperdal.
Source: Drug Dangers
(2012)
Hip replacement lawsuits
DePuy Orthopaedics, a division of this company, has 3 hip replacement devices that have had a high failure rate, causing permanent injury to patients and requirements for revision and reconstruction surgery in a number of patients. The company has more than 7000 lawsuits pending in Federal US courts and 2000 lawsuits pending in California state courts. The company has set aside US$2b for settlements. The first lawsuits filed in state courts were settled in August 2012, awarding approximately US$200,000 to each victim.
Source: Drug Dangers
(2014)
Fines over talc dangers
In Jan 2024 this company agreed to a US$700 million settlement with 42 US states regarding its talc-based products. The investigation accused the company of misleading customers about the safety of talc-based baby powder and products, claiming they can cause cancer. In 2020, twenty-two women with ovarian cancer received a $2.1 billion judgment related to talc powder. There are more than 50,000 lawsuits remaining against the company related to the talc-based baby powder and its link to ovarian cancer.
Source: Top Class Actions
(2024)
Animal Testing
This company appears on PETA's (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, USA) 'Companies That Do Test On Animals' list, signifying that they manufacture products that are tested on animals at some stage of development.
Source: PETA
(2022)
12.64% for supply chain practices in China
The Green Supply Chain Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI) evaluates consumer-facing companies that have a sizeable supply chain in China. The evaluation uses government supervision data and public information to assess the environmental management of their supply chains in China. This company received a score of 12.64/100 (retrieved 24 Nov 2023).
Source: IPE
(2023)
7/18 in Net Zero scorecard
As You Sow's 2022 report, 'Road to Zero Emissions', assessed the progress of 55 of the largest U.S. corporations in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with the Paris Agreement's objective of limiting global average temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, which requires achieving "net zero" emissions by 2050. Companies are graded on: climate related disclosures; GHG reduction targets, and GHG reductions. This company received an Overall Net Zero grade of D+.
Source: As You Sow
(2022)
39.1% in Forest 500 Rankings
Forest 500 identifies the 350 companies and 150 financial institutions with the greatest exposure to tropical deforestation risk, and annually assesses them on the strength and implementation of their deforestation and human rights commitments. This company received a score of 39.1%.
Source: Forest 500
(2023)
D- grade in Plastic Promises Scorecard
As You Sow's 2024 Plastic Promises Scorecard measures the corporate ambition and action of 225 large companies across six industries on six core pillars of plastic packaging pollution prevention: 1) Recyclability, 2) Reduction, 3) Recycled Content, 4) Recovery, 5) Reuse, and 6) Producer Responsibility. This company received a grade of D-.
Source: As You Sow
(2024)
Topamax lawsuits
In 2010, Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ortho-McNeil pleaded guilty to illegally promoting Topamax and agreed to pay a $6.14 million fine. That year, its affiliate, Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, also agreed to pay $75.37 million to resolve similar allegations under the federal False Claims Act. Topamax has been linked to birth defects. In 2013 juries awarded $4 million to one family and $11 million to another over birth defects. More court cases and pending.
Source: Drug Watch
(2013)
Fined for its part in opioid crisis in USA
In 2019 this company was ordered by a US judge to pay US$572 million for its part in the opioid addiction crisis in Oklahoma, USA. Judge Thad Balkman said that J&J has became a "public nuisance" in promoting the addictive prescription painkillers to consumers in the state.
Source: news article
(2019)
$230m to settle opioid lawsuit
In 2021 this company agreed to pay up to US$230 million to settle a lawsuit from New York state over its sale and marketing of opioid painkillers, as state and local governments move to extract money from the pharmaceutical companies that developed the drugs to help combat an epidemic of addiction to them.
Source: news article
(2021)
Tax dodging
A 2018 report by Oxfam shows that four pharmaceutical corporations, including this one, systematically hide their profits in overseas tax havens. This activity could deprive developing countries of more than $100 million every year. These corporations deploy massive influencing operations to rig the rules in their favor and give their damaging behavior a veneer of legitimacy. Tax dodging, high prices, and influence peddling by drug companies exacerbate the yawning gap between rich and poor, between men and women, and between advanced economies and developing ones.
Source: Oxfam
(2018)
$49.5m fraud settlement in USA
In 2019 several pharmaceutical companies finally settled a 2005 lawsuit which claimed the companies fudged wholesale drug prices to increase Medicaid reimbursements. In all, the state of Illinois received a combined $648 million over the course of that litigation. This company paid US$49.5 million in the 2019 settlement.
Source: news article
(2019)
JUST Capital ranking
JUST Capital polls Americans every year to identify the issues that matter most in defining just business behaviour. For their 2024 rankings the public identified 20 issues, which are organised under the headings Workers, Communities, Customers, Shareholders and Environment. JUST Capital then define metrics that map to those issues and track and analyse the largest, publicly traded U.S. companies. This analysis powers their rankings, in which this company ranked 697th of 937 companies, and 37th of 41 Pharmaceuticals & Biotech companies.
Source: JUST Capital
(2024)
Use of microplastics
This company uses plastic microbeads in some of its personal care products. These particles are not retained by wastewater treatment so end up in the ocean where they contribute to ocean plastic pollution, and are hazardous to sea life. While the effects of microplastics on human health are not completely understood, there are concerns about plastic additives, such as phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors which are shown to have harmful effects on life.
Source: Beat the Microbead
(2021)
Palm oil scorecard - WWF
The 2024 WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard evaluates the progress and performance of 285 major retailers and manufacturer companies, focusing on actions companies have taken to ensure their own palm oil supply chain is sustainable and free of deforestation, natural ecosystem conversion, and human rights abuse. This company failed to respond to WWF's requests for information.
Source: WWF Palm Oil Scorecard
(2024)
Palm oil sourcing
In the 2018 Greenpeace report "The Final Countdown", this company was identified as sourcing palm oil from at least 20 of the 25 dirty palm oil producers identified in the report. In addition to deforestation, the 25 individual cases in the report include evidence of exploitation and social conflicts, illegal deforestation, development without permits, plantation development in areas zoned for protection and forest fires linked to land clearance. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: Greenpeace
(2018)
Irresponsible marketing
In 1990, Johnson & Johnson were criticised for their marketing of Imodium anti-diarrhoea drops to children in Pakistan. According to J&J, the drops were given to 19 infants. There were side effects as a result of serious overdosing in these cases and six of these children died. Johnson & Johnson withdrew the drops from the Pakistan in March 1990 and undertook to withdraw them in other Third World countries. (Noted here as 'additional information only' due to age of report).
Source: McSpotlight
(1990)
Action on Darfur
Identified in 'The Big Chill: Too Scared to Speak' report which identified Chinese Olympic Sponsors response to Darfur crisis in Sudan. Received a D-. These companies received a grade slightly higher than outright failure because they met with the campaign.
Source: Dream for Dafur
(2008)
Price fixing in USA
In Dec 2010 Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay US$52 million in damages and penalties after a Pennsylvania judge found the pharmaceutical company falsely reported the prices of its drugs. Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to repay more than $45 million to Medicaid and the PACE prescription drug program for senior citizens, along with more than $6.5 million in civil penalties. [Listed under Information due to age of court finding]
Source: news article
(2010)
Price fixing in France
In Dec 2014 this company and 12 other consumer goods firms were fined a total of 951m euros by the French competition watchdog for price fixing in supermarkets. The regulator said the companies colluded on price increases between 2003 and 2006.
Source: news article
(2014)
Excessive CEO pay
As You Sow's 2023 report, 'The 100 Most Overpaid CEOs', reveals the 100 most overpaid CEOs from USA's 500 largest public companies (as determined by the S&P 500 list). This company's CEO, Alex Gorsky came in at number 50 on the list, having been paid US$26,741,959 in 2022. In As You Sow's 2022 report this company's CEO came in at number 21. According to the report, "Most CEOs have come to be grossly overpaid, and that overpayment is harmful to the companies, the shareholders, the customers, the other employees, the economy, and society as a whole."
Source: As You Sow
(2023)
CEO Pay Ratio of 164:1
In 2022 the median pay for a worker at this company was US$80,000. The CEO was paid 164 times this amount. Exorbitant CEO pay is a major contributor to rising inequality. CEOs are getting more because of their power to set pay, not because they are increasing productivity or possess specific, high-demand skills. The economy would suffer no harm if CEOs were paid less (or taxed more). In contrast, the CEO-to-typical-worker compensation ratio was 20-to-1 in 1965 and 58-to-1 in 1989.
Source: AFL-CIO
(2023)
Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target; commit to 100% renewable power.
Source: We Mean Business
(2021)
Commitment to remove toxics
Following pressure from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Johnson & Johnson announced in August 2012 that it will remove carcinogens and other toxic chemicals from its baby and adult products globally by the end of 2015. It will reformulate its hundreds of cosmetics and personal care products in all the markets it serves in 57 countries around the world.
Mum-friendly employer
This company was named in the top 10 of Seramount's 100 Best Companies 2022 for being a mum-friendly employer. Listed companies provide inclusive benefits for families, including paid gender-neutral parental leave, phase-back programs, bereavement leave after miscarriage, reimbursement for fertility expenses, and increased mental health benefits for employees.
Source: Seramount
(2022)
GC3 member (Green Chemistry)
This company is a member of the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council (GC3), a business-to-business forum that advances the application of green chemistry and design for environment across supply chains. It provides an open forum for cross-sectoral collaboration to share information and experiences about the challenges to and opportunities for safer chemicals and products.
Source: GC3
(2019)
Responsible Minerals Initiative member
This company is a member of the Responsible Minerals Initiative (formerly the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative), which helps companies address conflict minerals issues in their supply chains. The RMI provides information on conflict-free smelters and refiners, common tools to gather sourcing information, and forums for exchanging best practices on addressing conflict minerals. Membership is open to companies that use or transact in tantalum, tin, tungsten or gold (3TG). Founded in 2008 by members of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative.
Source: RMI
(2019)
Previous GFTN participant
This company was a participant in WWF's Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN), which seeks to mainstream the principles of responsible forest management and sustainable trade throughout the global forest products industry, by providing technical assistance and fostering linkages between committed companies. Independent forest certification is a key tool in this process.
Source: WWF
(2019)
Sustainability Consortium member
This company is a member of The Sustainability Consortium, an organization of diverse global participants that work collaboratively to build a scientific foundation that drives innovation to improve consumer product sustainability. They develop transparent methodologies, tools, and strategies to drive a new generation of products and supply networks that address environmental, social, and economic imperatives.
Source: Sustainability Consortium
(2019)
Sustainable Brands member
This company is a Bronze Member of the Sustainable Brands Network, the leading peer to peer, learning and networking group designed to support brands in meeting their sustainability goals and ultimately become those leaders of the next sustainable economy.
Source: Sustainable Brands
(2018)
68.1% in Newsweek Green Ranking 2017
This company received a score of 68.1/100 in the Newsweek Green Ranking 2017, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor.
Source: Newsweek
(2017)
Plastics Commitment signatory
This company is a signatory to the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, whose goal is to eliminate plastic pollution at its source.
Source: New Plastics Economy
(2022)
Ellen MacArthur Foundation member
This company is a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, whose stated mission is to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation works with business, government and academia to build a framework for an economy that is restorative and regenerative by design.
How2Recycle member
This company is a member of How2Recycle. The How2Recycle Label is a voluntary, standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels. Companies must be a member of the program to use the How2Recycle Label.
Source: How2Recycle
(2023)
AMR Industry Alliance member
This company is a member of the AMR Industry Alliance, a coalition of biotech, diagnostics, generics and research-based pharmaceutical companies set up to provide sustainable solutions to curb antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR is an increasingly significant threat to global public health which puts at risk the effective prevention and treatment of a wide range of infections.
Source: AMR Industry Alliance
(2021)
Microbeads scorecard
In 2016 Greenpeace East Asia ranked the world's 30 biggest personal care companies on their commitment to eliminating microbeads from their personal care products. The scorecard was based on four main criteria: commitment & transparency, definition, deadline and global application. This company was ranked as 'getting there'. Microbeads are not retained by wastewater treatment and end up in the ocean where they are a threat to the marine environment.
Source: Greenpeace
(2016)
56.1% in conflict minerals rankings
As You Sow's 2019 report, Mining the Disclosures, is a deep analysis of 215 companies' human rights performance in relation to sourcing conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This company's score was 56.1% (Adequate).
Source: As You Sow
(2019)
68% in AMR Benchmark
The 2021 Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Benchmark ranks 17 large pharmaceutical companies on their efforts keep medicines and vaccines available, despite the rise of drug resistance. This company received a score of 68%.
OpenSecrets.org profile
OpenSecrets.org tracks the influence of money on U.S. politics, and how that money affects policy and citizens' lives. Follow link to see this company's record of political donations, lobbying, outside spending and more.
Source: Open Secrets
(2024)
Corporate Rap Sheet
The Corporate Research Project's Corporate Rap Sheets are dossiers summarising the most significant crimes, violations and other questionable activities of the world's largest and most controversial companies. Follow link to see this company's Corporate Rap Sheet. "Scandals involving tainted and deficient products have forced the company to pay out several billion dollars in civil settlements and criminal fines."
Company Details
Type:
Public company
Founded:
1886
Revenue:
81.6 billion USD
(2018)
Employees:
134,000
(2018)