'No More Tears' review: Johnson & Johnson legacy scrutinized

Apnews - Apr 7th, 2025
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In his investigative book "No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson," veteran reporter Gardiner Harris delves into the tarnished legacy of the renowned health care giant. The book scrutinizes Johnson & Johnson's handling of various controversies, including its infamous 1982 Tylenol tampering case, litigation over talc powder in baby products, and involvement in the opioid crisis. Harris also critiques federal regulators, particularly the FDA, for their failures in safeguarding consumers, challenging the public's perception of their effectiveness.

Harris extends his critique to the media, highlighting instances where reporters have overstated the FDA's efforts against pharmaceutical companies. By exposing these layers of oversight and corporate misconduct, his work offers a broader understanding of the health care system's complexities. The book aims to unravel the entrenched narratives surrounding both Johnson & Johnson and the FDA, urging a reevaluation of consumer trust in these institutions.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a well-structured and clear overview of Gardiner Harris's book, "No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson." It effectively highlights critical issues related to corporate ethics and regulatory oversight, maintaining a high level of factual accuracy. The article's readability and engagement are strong, with clear language and logical flow. However, it could benefit from a more balanced perspective by including viewpoints from Johnson & Johnson and other stakeholders. Additionally, greater transparency regarding the basis for the book's claims and potential conflicts of interest would enhance the article's credibility. Overall, the article successfully addresses topics of significant public interest, with the potential to influence public opinion and provoke meaningful discussion.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story presents factual claims that align well with the established narrative about Johnson & Johnson and its historical events. For instance, the claim about Johnson & Johnson's response to the 1982 Tylenol tampering incident being a model in business schools is accurate and well-documented. The mention of the company's litigation over talc in baby powder, which resulted in significant settlements, is also supported by historical legal records. However, the story could benefit from more precise data, such as specific figures or dates, to further bolster its accuracy. The portrayal of the book's content as a critical examination of both Johnson & Johnson and the FDA is consistent with the book's themes and assertions. Overall, the article maintains a high level of factual accuracy, though it could enhance credibility by incorporating more direct citations from the book or related sources.

7
Balance

The article primarily focuses on the critical aspects of Johnson & Johnson's history and practices, as explored in Gardiner Harris's book. While it provides a thorough examination of the company's controversies, it lacks a balanced perspective that includes positive contributions or counterarguments from Johnson & Johnson or its defenders. The critique of the FDA and media is presented without much counterbalance, which could lead to a perception of bias. Including viewpoints from Johnson & Johnson, the FDA, or independent experts could have provided a more comprehensive and balanced analysis.

9
Clarity

The article is well-written and clearly conveys the main points of Gardiner Harris's book. The language is straightforward, and the structure logically presents the book's themes and the author's criticisms. The article effectively communicates the complex issues surrounding Johnson & Johnson and the FDA in an accessible manner. However, it could benefit from more detailed explanations of specific controversies to enhance reader understanding.

8
Source quality

The primary source of the article is Gardiner Harris's book, "No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson," which is described as comprehensively reported and researched. Harris is a veteran reporter, lending credibility to the book's findings. However, the article does not mention additional sources or corroborating evidence outside of the book. While the book itself is a strong source, the inclusion of independent expert opinions or data from regulatory bodies could enhance the article's source quality by providing a broader range of perspectives and evidence.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear overview of the book's themes and the author's investigative approach, but it lacks transparency in terms of methodology and source attribution. It does not disclose how the book's claims were verified or whether any attempts were made to obtain responses from Johnson & Johnson or the FDA. Greater transparency regarding the basis for the book's claims and any potential conflicts of interest would improve the article's transparency score.

Sources

  1. https://flyleafbooks.com/book/9780593229866
  2. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-more-tears-gardiner-harris/1145976767
  3. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216247552-no-more-tears
  4. https://www.thebookloft.com/book/9780593229866
  5. https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/book-review-no-more-tears-scrutinizes-the-20262639.php