Johnson & Johnson Faces UK Legal Storm Over Alleged Cancer-Causing Baby Powder

Thousands sue over asbestos claims, raising questions for investors and future pharmaceutical litigation

Johnson & Johnson (J&J), one of the world’s largest healthcare companies, is facing a major legal challenge in the UK as more than 3,000 individuals claim they developed cancer due to the use of talcum powder allegedly contaminated with asbestos.

Legal Action Gathers Pace in the UK

A high-profile lawsuit filed by KP Law at the High Court in London alleges that Johnson & Johnson and its spin-off Kenvue knowingly sold baby powder containing carcinogenic substances over several decades. The claimants assert the products led to serious illnesses such as ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.

• The cases relate to the use of baby powder between 1965 and 2023.
• J&J ceased US sales of talc-based powder in 2020 and globally in 2023.
• Kenvue, now a separate company, is also named in the UK lawsuit.

The legal claim argues that J&J’s baby powder contained asbestos—a known cancer-causing agent—and that the company concealed this information from the public for years, allegedly lobbying regulators and funding studies to downplay the risks.

Personal Stories Highlight Human Cost

Among the 3,000+ claimants is 75-year-old Janet Fuschillo, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using J&J’s baby powder for decades. Another claimant, Patricia Angell, lost her husband to mesothelioma, a cancer almost always linked to asbestos exposure. She claims talc and asbestos were both found in his autopsy report.

Company Response and Denial

Kenvue has strongly denied the allegations, stating:

“Johnson’s Baby Powder did not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer. Its safety has been affirmed through decades of independent testing by global health authorities and laboratories.”

Despite these assurances, the company is already under pressure due to numerous lawsuits in the United States. In a recent high-profile US case, Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay $966 million (£720 million) to the family of a woman who died from mesothelioma.

Impact on Share Price and Investor Confidence

While the legal proceedings in the UK are still in the early stages, investors are closely monitoring the situation. In previous similar US cases, share prices for Johnson & Johnson dropped as investor sentiment turned cautious.

• In 2018, after a Reuters investigation into asbestos in J&J’s talc, shares fell nearly 10% in a single day.
• If the UK lawsuits gain traction, further pressure on both J&J and Kenvue shares is likely.
• Damages awarded in UK courts tend to be smaller than those in the US, but the reputational damage could still affect long-term valuations.

The wider pharmaceutical and healthcare sector has seen similar scandals in the past—from opioid-related lawsuits to product safety failures. These have often led to billions in compensation and lasting reputational damage.

Could This Be Another Pharma Crisis?

Legal experts believe the case could follow a similar trajectory to other high-profile product liability cases. If evidence proves widespread asbestos contamination and a cover-up, further lawsuits in other jurisdictions could follow.

For now, analysts warn investors to prepare for increased volatility in J&J and Kenvue shares. Broader pharmaceutical indices may also be affected if confidence in regulatory oversight erodes.

Key Takeaways for Investors:

• Over 3,000 UK claimants are suing J&J and Kenvue over alleged asbestos-contaminated talc.
• J&J faces tens of thousands of similar lawsuits in the US.
• Investor sentiment is fragile, with past scandals showing share price vulnerability.
• The outcome could reshape regulatory standards and corporate disclosure in the healthcare industry.

Sources: (SKY.com, BBC.co.uk)