Johnson & Johnson faces $72m hit in talc ovarian cancer case
US pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson's baby powder has cost it $72-million in a lawsuit but the company maintains there's no cause for alarm in South Africa.Alabaman Jacqueline Fox sued the company, claiming she developed terminal ovarian cancer after using its baby powder for genital hygiene for more than 35 years.Fox died in October last year.Various studies have been undertaken regarding the possible link between talcum powder use in the genital area and the development of ovarian cancer.A 2014 study by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information found "perineal powder use does not appear to influence ovarian cancer risk".The centre's 2003 study found that talc use was associated with a higher risk of ovarian cancer but could not find a causal link.Johnson & Johnson SA said it "strongly disagreed with the outcome" of the case.The company's Laura Nel said : "The talc used in all our global products meets the highest quality, purity and compliance standards."The US Food and Drug Administration, National Cancer Institute and Cosmetic Ingredient Review Committee had all concluded there was insufficient evidence linking talc to ovarian cancer, she said...
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