McNeil Consumer Healthcare supports efforts to ensure Canadians have improved access to over-the-counter medicines

MARKHAM, ON, April 27, 2012 /CNW/ - McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Division of Johnson & Johnson Inc. in Canada, supports the efforts of Health Canada to ensure Canadians have improved access to over-the-counter medicines, as announced in the federal government's Economic Action Plan 2012.

This announcement recognizes the importance of self care for Canadians and will help make important over-the-counter medicines more readily and quickly available to Canadians than in the past. The proposal supports improvements in the process for reviewing and approving switches of prescription medicines to non-prescription status reducing timelines without compromising safety. Rigorous scientific review will continue to be required prior to the approval of all prescription to non-prescription medicine switches.

"We are pleased the government is recognizing the important role that over-the-counter remedies can play in health and wellness of Canadians," said Gerry Wright, Senior Director of Regulatory and Medical Affairs. "We support this rigorous process and are pleased that it will continue as an important step in ensuring the availability and safety of self-care products," said Wright.

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a division of Johnson & Johnson Inc., markets a broad range of well-known and trusted over-the-counter (OTC) products. McNeil Consumer Healthcare in Canada markets products in the adult and pediatric pain relief, allergy, gastro-intestinal and nicotine-replacement categories under the brand names TYLENOL®, MOTRIN®, BENYLIN®, BENADRYL®, REACTINE®, IMODIUM®, ROLAIDS®, NICORETTE® and NICODERM®.

For inquiries please contact:
Krista Scaldwell - 905-968-2415