Johnson & Johnson CEO: Company let down consumers, is fixing problems and will rebuild trust

CEO: J&J let down public, must work to build trust

TRENTON, N.J. — With Johnson & Johnson’s once-golden reputation tarnished by 11 recalls of medicines, contact lenses and hip implants in as many months, its chief executive says he knows the company let consumers down.

J&J plans a public campaign to help rebuild their trust, but not until after about 40 recalled nonprescription medicines are back on store shelves sometime early next year. In the meantime, the company is also doing everything possible to make sure the incidents are not repeated, CEO Bill Weldon told The Associated Press Friday.

The maker of trusted brands including Johnson’s No More Tears baby shampoo and Tylenol pain reliever, has announced repeated recalls since late last September. Nine involved nonprescription medicines made by its McNeil Consumer Healthcare unit.