Oregon AG sues Johnson & Johnson, alleges deceptive marketing

Of transvaginal surgical mesh devices that can have dangerous complications

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Ethicon, Inc., alleging deceptive marketing of transvaginal surgical mesh devices to women in Oregon by failing to disclose the dangerous complications sometimes arising from the devices.

According to the complaint, filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court, at least 3,700 Oregon women had these devices implanted without J&J providing sufficient information to allow them to adequately weigh the risks and benefits of the full range of treatment options.

“Johnson & Johnson has blatantly put profits over the health of thousands of Oregon women,” Rosenblum said. “If these women and their doctors had been provided accurate information about the risks of these devices — by the company that well knew the risks — they may never have chosen to have them inserted in their bodies, resulting in all manner of painful, horrible outcomes.”

Surgical mesh is a synthetic fabric woven or knitted from polypropylene threads that is surgically implanted through the vagina. It is used to treat common conditions caused by weakened or damaged tissues and muscles in the pelvic floor area.

According to the complaint, “Johnson & Johnson marketed the surgical mesh to doctors and patients as minimally invasive with minimal risk, without disclosing the potential for permanent, debilitating complications. J&J did this despite being urged by its own medical advisors and employees to use different mesh in some of its devices and to warn doctors and patients of pain with intercourse, sexual dysfunction, and impact on quality of life.”

A full copy of the lawsuit can be found here.