1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
Title of the story is "Tylenol recall: Serious side effects investigated." The byline on the story is Parija Kavilanz and is representative of her health care beat as a consumer and public health story.
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
The story was published on May 25, 2010 on CNNMoney.com. The story also appeared on CNN.com and CNN broadcast as "Breaking News" on March 25, 2010.
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Less than a month after Johnson & Johnson's McNeil unit recalled more than 50 children's versions of these non-prescription Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl and other drugs on April 30, 2010, for serious quality and safety concerns, the company remained tightlipped about the specific problems with those drugs, manufacturing problems at the plant that made those recalled drugs and consumers complaints received about the recalled drugs. CNNMoney.com was the first to report the extent of the manufacturing problems at the McNeil's plant in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania where the recalled drugs were made. CNNMoney.com was also the first to report that the recalled children's possibly contained small metal parts. Subsequently, this story, "Tylenol recall: Serious side effects investigated", was the first to report that the Food and Drug Administration had received at least 775 consumer complaints about McNeil's recalled drugs from Jan. 1, 2008, through April 30, 2010. The story also revealed that the FDA had received several hundred more consumer complaints about the children's drugs after it was recalled in April, 2010.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
The story used documents provided by the Congressional Committee on Oversight and Government reform, which has been investigating McNeil's non-prescription drug recalls. Multiple FOI requests were filed with the FDA in mid May. Through a FOI, CNNMoney.com requested any consumer complaints about any products manufactured at McNeil plants, including but not limited to McNeil Fort Washington, from 2005 to 2010. Through a FOI, CNNMoney.com requested all FDA inspection reports, including 483 reports, of the McNeil Fort Washington, Pa. plant from 2003 to 2010. Through a FOI, CNNMoney.com requested all Adverse Events Reports received by the FDA from 2007 to the present regarding any product (children's or adults' over-the-counter medicines) manufactured at all McNeil plants. Through a FOI, CNNMoney.com requested any investigations by the FDA into McNeil manufacturing plants, including but not limited to McNeil Fort Washington, from 2005 to 2010. The FOI requested resulted in CNNMoney.com getting access to hundred of consumer complaints that were made about drugs made at McNeil plants, many of which have been recalled. The FOI also yielded troubling inspection reports of McNeil's drug manufacturing plants going back to 2003.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
Confidential sources at the FDA. Confidential sources with Committee on Oversight and Government Reform committee investigating Johnson & Johnson's drug recalls and drug manufacturing problems.
6. Results (if any).
The story received more than 4,500 responses from CNNMoney.com and CNN readers and viewers. The story uncovered serious safety lapses and questionable ethical practices at one of the most venerable companies in America, Johnson & Johnson. The company's actions surrounding the recall of Tylenol and Children's Tylenol were of extreme interest to readers. As more recalls were announced, there was a sense of alarm — some of the products affected were intended for children. Kavilanz's reporting and perseverance exposed questionable practices and helped readers comprehend the true risks. Her work was closely scrutinized by the industry, regulators and lawmakers.
7. Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Don't expect companies to be forthcoming with information, especially when reporters are covering some negative news about their business. Instead, be creative and look for other ways to obtain more information. FOIs are a great tool available to any member of the public. A simple Google search often surfaces former company employees, who after being properly vetted, can become invaluable resources to reporters.