The Tylenol Mafia (73 page)

Although the packaging:
Washington Post
.
“A Puzzle for Investigators.”
The Post Standard
, February 15, 1986.

J&J executives, FDA officials:
Washington Post
.
“A Puzzle for Investigators.”
The Post Standard
, February 15, 1986.

None of the three seals:
Washington Post
.
“A Puzzle for Investigators.”
The Post Standard
, February 15, 1986.

The FBI, in addition: Houston, Jack. “Local Firm Helps Put Tylenol to the Test.”
Chicago Tribune
, February 23, 1986.

Even James Burke said, “The indication”: Goldman, John J.;
Cimons
, Marlene. “Agencies Pursue Massive Probe of Tylenol Poisoning.”
LA Times
, February 15, 1986.

 
“It is utterly baffling”:
Washington Post
.
“A Puzzle for Investigators.”
The Post Standard
, February 15, 1986.

 
“
Seal on Drug Package Can Be Forged”: Browne, Malcolm.
“
Seal on Drug Package Can Be Forged.”
The New York Times
, February 14, 1986.

 
“Electric heat-sealing machines: Browne, Malcolm.
“
Seal on Drug Package Can Be Forged.”
The New York Times
, February 14, 1986.

On the day Browne’s article ran:
Prokesch
, Steven, “Tylenol Capsule Output is
Suspended
by Maker.”
The
New York Times
, February 15, 1986.

On Friday, February 14
^th
, J&J spokesperson, James Murray: Associated Press. “Poison in 2 Tylenol Bottles Linked to the Same Source.”
LA Times
, February 15, 1986.

J&J spokesperson, Robert Kniffin, also said: McFadden, Robert D. “Two Bottles of Poisoned Tylenol Were Shipped
By
Same Distributor.”
The
New York Times
, February 16, 1986.

The three J&J regional distribution centers: McFadden, Robert D. “Two Bottles of Poisoned Tylenol Were Shipped
By
Same Distributor.”
The New York Times
, February 16, 1986.

 
“
the
focus of the investigation on the possibility of tampering at the plant”: Associated Press. “Poison in 2 Tylenol Bottles Linked to the Same Source.”
LA Times
, February 15, 1986.

 
“We still believe
it’s
local tampering”: Goldman, John J.;
Cimons
, Marlene. “Agencies Pursue Massive Probe of Tylenol Poisoning.”
LA Times
, February 15, 1986.

“The odds are something like one in a billion”:
Knight-Ridder. Billion to 1 odds against tampering at separate plants?”
Syracuse Herald-Journal
, February 18, 1986.

The discovery of the second bottle: United Press International. “FBI gives top priority to Tylenol case.”
The Star and Stripes
, February 17, 1986.

This case “is extremely hot”: Norman, Michael. “FBI is assigning Tylenol inquiry ‘highest priority.’”
The New York Times,
February 15, 1986.

The FBI assembled: Norman, Michael. “FBI is assigning Tylenol inquiry ‘highest priority.’”
The New York Times
, February 15, 1986.

 
“
to
make sure we’re familiar with procedures”: Herald News Services.
“Tampering in Tylenol distribution plausible.”
The Daily Herald
, February 17, 1986.

“For anybody to focus”: United Press International. “Official advocates ban on all capsules”
Hutchinson News
, February 17, 1986.

Robert Kniffin spoke to the press: McFadden, Robert D. “Two Bottles of Poisoned Tylenol Were Shipped
By
Same Distributor.”
New York Times
, February 16, 1986.

 
“We honestly don’t know that’s the case at all”: Goldman, John J.;
Cimons
, Marlene. “Agencies Pursue Massive Probe of Tylenol Poisoning.”
LA Times
, February 15, 1986.

 
“Premeditated murder has not been ruled out”: United Press International “J&J Action Too Late Says Victim’s Mother.”
Tyrone Daily Herald
, February 19, 1982

30
           
The Great Capsule Debate

Manufacturers sold $1.5 billion: Rudolph, Barbara; Delaney, Patricia; Mitchell, William J. “The Great Capsule Controversy.”
TIME
, July 7, 1986.

Proprietary Association spokesperson, John Walden:
Cimons
, Marlene. “Drug Industry Defends Packaging
Safety :
Admits Little Can Be Done to Enhance Tamper-Resistant System.”
LA Times
, February 19, 1986.

In 1986, according to Johnson & Johnson:
Prokesch
, Steven, “Tylenol Capsule Output is
Suspended
by Maker.”
The New York Times
, February 14, 1986.

At the time, Tylenol products accounted for $525 million:
McFadden, Robert D. “Maker of Tylenol Discontinuing All Over-The-Counter Drug Capsule.”
 
The New York Time
: February 18, 1986

Heading into the 1986 President’s Day weekend, James Burke met with his top executives:
Prokesch
, Steven. Tylenol: Despite Sharp Disputes, Managers Coped.”
The New York Times
, February 23, 1986.

The market research:
Prokesch
, Steven, “Tylenol Capsule Output is
Suspended
by Maker.”
The New York Times
, February 14, 1986.

 
“Ninety-seven percent of the public in the research”: Goldman, John J.;
Cimons
, Marlene. “Tylenol's Maker Ends Capsule Use: Johnson & Johnson Switches to Pills for Patent Medicines.”
LA Times
, February 18, 1986.

“There was definitely”:
Prokesch
, Steven. Tylenol: Despite Sharp Disputes, Managers Coped.”
The New York Times
, February 23, 1986.

Burke said that when:
Prokesch
, Steven. Tylenol: Despite Sharp Disputes, Managers Coped.”
The New York Times
, February 23, 1986.

 
“The anger that comes”:
Prokesch
, Steven. Tylenol: Despite Sharp Disputes, Managers Coped.”
The New York Times
, February 23, 1986.

It was very important to let people say”:
Prokesch
, Steven. Tylenol: Despite Sharp Disputes, Managers Coped.”
The New York Times
, February 23, 1986.

On Friday, the day after:
Prokesch
, Steven. Tylenol: Despite Sharp Disputes, Managers Coped.”
The New York Times
, February 23, 1986.

The Presidents Day: Powell, Bill;
Kasindorf
, Martin.
“The Tylenol Rescue.”
Newsweek
, March 3, 1986.

“You’ve had this happen”:
 
Associated Press. “FDA: Capsule ban not right response.”
Casa Grande Dispatch
, February 18, 1986.

“The only way that could be done”: McFadden, Robert D. “Westchester Leader Calls on U.S. to ban nonprescription capsules.
The New York Times
, February 17, 1986.

“This particular package in the Woolworth store”:
Cimons
, Marlene.
“Tylenol Probe Shifts to Time of Delivery.”
LA Times
, February 17, 1986.

 
“
unfortunately
, there’s nothing new at this time”: Associated Press. “Theories, but no
progess
in Tylenol scare research.”
The Galveston Daily News
, February 17, 1986.

 
“Even if you could”:
Cimons
, Marlene.
“Tylenol Probe Shifts to Time of Delivery.”
LA Times
, February 17, 1986.

On President’s Day, Monday:
McFadden, Robert D. “Maker of Tylenol Discontinuing All Over-The-Counter Drug Capsule.”
 
The New York Time
, February 18, 1986.

 
“Who will protect America”: “Underground is Proposed
For
Those Making Atomic Products.”
The Norwich Sun
, January 6, 1947.

 
“We feel the company”:
McFadden, Robert D. “Maker of Tylenol Discontinuing All Over-The-Counter Drug Capsule.”
 
The New York Time
, February 18, 1986.

“We fought our way back”
::
Goldman, John J.;
Cimons
, Marlene. “Tylenol's Maker Ends Capsule Use: Johnson & Johnson Switches to Pills for Patent Medicines.”
LA Times
, February 18, 1986.

 
“The so-called terrorist”:
 
Goldman, John J.;
Cimons
, Marlene. “Tylenol's Maker Ends Capsule Use: Johnson & Johnson Switches to Pills for Patent Medicines.”
LA Times
, February 18, 1986.

 
“This Company has figured out”:
 
Prokesch
, Steven. Tylenol: Despite Sharp Disputes, Managers Coped.”
The
New York Times
, February 23, 1986.

 
“I am an aggressive marketing person”:
Prokesch
, Steven. Tylenol: Despite Sharp Disputes, Managers Coped.”
The
New York Times
, February 23, 1986.

But Collins was now also the Vice President: “Schering-Plough Healthcare President David Collins Elected Chairman of NDMA.”
PR Newswire
, May 18, 1992.

FDA Commissioner, Frank Young, called Johnson & Johnson’s decision: Associated Press. “Tylenol capsule production halted.”
The Galveston Daily News
, February 18, 1986.

Prosecutors charged Stella: “Bitter Pill.”
48 Hours
, CBS, June 4, 2001.

The Proprietary Association paid Hamilton: “O.C. Woman Gets Big Reward in Mom's Conviction.”
LA Times
, October 06, 1990.

 
“Twelve confirmed deaths since 1982”: “The Proprietary Association offers reward up to $300,000 for the arrest and conviction of person or persons responsible for Excedrin Extra-Strength capsule poisonings in Seattle.”
PR Newswire
, June 19, 1986.

“The main anguish that any human being feels”:
Cimons
, Marlene; Jackson, Robert L. “Latest Tylenol Poisoning: A Nightmare Comes True.”
LA Times
, February 23, 1986.

 
“Yes, Indeed I am”:
Molotsky
, Irvin, Tylenol Maker hopeful on solving poisoning case.”
The New York Times
, February 20, 1986.

As luck would have it:
Prokesch
, Steven. Tylenol: Despite Sharp Dispute, Managers Coped.”
The New York Times
, February 23, 1986.

 
“While the withdrawal of capsules is a financial burden”:
McFadden, Robert D. “Maker of Tylenol Discontinuing All Over-The-Counter Drug Capsule.”
 
The New York Time
, February 18, 1986.

One day after announcing:
Norman, Michael. “FBI Finds No Tampering with Packaging of Tylenol.”
New York Times
, February 19, 1986.

Two of Michael’s friends: United Press International. “More tainted capsules may clear Elsroth's boyfriend.”
Syracuse Herald-Journal
, February 14, 1986.

 
“Automatically, you assume”: “Hundreds of leads going nowhere in cyanide deaths.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer
, September 15, 1986.

“They have gone”: “Hundreds of leads going nowhere in cyanide deaths.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer
, September 15, 1986.

Elsroth’s Aunt”: United Press International. “Italy bans Tylenol.”
Pharos-Tribune
, February 16, 1986.