Johnson&Johnson under scanner; docs say talc powder unsafe

Hyderabad: Samples of all types of talcum powder manufactured by Johnson&Johnson have been collected by drug inspectors in the city and will be sent to the laboratory for testing for the presence of asbestos.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) wants the powder to be tested because asbestos in powder is said to trigger a carcinogenic reaction in cells and may lead to cancer in the long term.

Dr G.V. Rao, who had filed a case in the consumer court in Hyderabad against the company, does not think CDSCO has the expertise to deal with this issue.

“CDSCO is going on the premise that the use of the powder causes cancer and that is wrong. The long term use of talcum powder with asbestos leads to cancer. These specifics are important as it is found that the drug control authority does not have the required expertise to deal with these cases,” Dr Rao said.

He said that in the court, too, when questions were raised about its safe use over a long period of time, “the answer received was a one line that it is safe to use. But a US court has stated that the talc is one of the reasons for ovarian cancer and asked J &J to provide compensation. The US judgment has alerted many countries and it is important that an impartial investigation is carried out otherwise it will not help.”

Talcum powder is very widely used in India and is sold not only in medical stores but also at shopping centres and other utility outlets.

A conservative estimate shows that each store gives a volume of Rs 4,000 to '7,000 per month in terms of business.

CDSCO has no way of getting direct feedback on a product. Hence, the dependence is completely on committees constituted by CDSCO with officials as well as manufacturers.  where 80 per cent of members are pharmaceutical manufacturers, who do not represent the interests of patients, a senior official in the drug controller’s office said.

Dr Sai Ram, senior oncologist at MNJ Cancer Institute said, “The use of talcum powder for gloves (it makes it easy to slip on the gloves) has been discouraged in operation theatres. When the US court has given a judgment about the powder, why are we still allowing such high use of this banned product. India has become a dumping ground for the pharmaceutical industry and there is no mechanism in place to address the problem.”

He says that the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified talcum powder as a possible human carcinogen if used in the female genital area. “This has been clearly pointed out. But like smoking, where some people suffer from cancer and some do not, same is found in talcum powder. Immunity of the person has a role to play along with other factors. But as it is identified as a carcinogen and prevention must be advocated for the safety of the people,” Dr Sai Ram said.

Johnson&Johnson in a media statement said their products are completely safe and they are co-operating with CDSCO by providing samples and tests.

Its baby powder, J&J says, is free of asbestos and does not cause cancer. The company is also going to submit scientific evidence to prove that the product is safe.