Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay more than $2 million to Arizona for misleading claims about the safety and effectiveness of its transvaginal mesh products.
Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced that Ethicon Inc. and its parent company, Johnson & Johnson, have both agreed to pay about $117 million in penalties.
The multistate lawsuit alleged the companies deceptively promoted their transvaginal mesh devices. The mesh is made of synthetic material that is surgically implanted to support pelvic organs of women who need it.
Once the mesh is implanted, it is nearly impossible to remove. That information was not disclosed to health care providers or their patients.
The companies have agreed to reform their marketing, which means they can no longer falsely claim FDA approval or make any other misleading claims.
