CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -By Agence France-Presse: A US court has upheld a verdict that talcum powder sold by Johnson & Johnson caused ovarian cancer and ordered the pharmaceutical giant to pay $2.1 billion in damages.

Detailed explanation-2: -Louis ultimately forced J&J to pay $2.5 billion to 20 women who targeted its baby powder for their ovarian cancer. Both the Missouri Supreme Court and the US Supreme Court refused to overturn the verdict.

Detailed explanation-3: -In 1971 to the early 2000s, the talc tested positive for small amounts of asbestos (known to be carcinogenic) - this is recorded in internal company records, according to Reuters. The company has been dealing with thousands of lawsuits from women who have claimed to develop ovarian cancer allegedly through the powder.

Detailed explanation-4: -In December 2018, the FDA during a random inspection took samples of the baby powder and found it to be “not of standard quality.” The State had then revoked the licence citing public interest and in September 2022, cancelled it and directed the company to recall the stock of the powder from the market.

Detailed explanation-5: -On August 11, 2022, Johnson & Johnson announced they will stop the global sale of talc-based baby powder and finally transition to a safer corn-starch based formula for all its customers by 2023.