×

3902
3903

Russia/UkraineJohnson & Johnson to suspend supply of personal care products to Russia (reuters.com)

submitted by manticor225

all 166 comments
sorted by:
best
topnewcontroversialoldq&a

[–]zdada 191 points192 points  (13 children)

When I see these types of headlines I wonder if the companies actually order a stop in protest of the war or if they were stopped by the diminishing trade channels and had no choice, perhaps not minding to continue business.

[–][deleted] 151 points152 points  (2 children)

For the companies 'making their move' this late I'd say it is mostly the latter... Nobody will ship it and the Russias are broke.

[–]Davor_Penguin 35 points36 points  (3 children)

Or 3) Want to avoid public/stakeholder backlash for refusing to leave.

If they haven't at least started pulling out within a week of the war, they're only ever doing it for #2 or #3.

[–]Rubberbabybuggybum 18 points19 points  (1 child)

4) Russian economy is in free fall and their currency is worthless.

[–]Davor_Penguin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also true!

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Eh, I agree but this late nobody would ship it and they are just value signaling to try to jump on the bandwagon. It gives shareholders enough of a warm fuzzy to continue to support. At the end of the day shareholder value is whether the decision makes money or avoids risk.

[–]jaybro861 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Tend to agree here with the latter. If they had stopped at the start when the sanctions were first implemented then they could say they were taking the “moral high ground” but at this stage, I think they just lost the market and said oh well let’s call it quits.

[–]ruminajaali 14 points15 points  (1 child)

It’s always business and never morals

[–]thrakkerzog 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Most likely answer is that they don't know if they'll get paid for the orders.

[–]gojirra 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Corporations are soulless parasites that exist for one reason alone, to make money. At best they are completely neutral and operate on that single goal.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Everything in the month of march has been 100% due to sanctions. People seem to be forgetting that. This is what real sanctions look like.

[–]mr_rouncewell 173 points174 points  (6 children)

That stinks.

[–]Inquisitive_idiot 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Deep Bat Cut

[–]Rubberbabybuggybum 1 point2 points  (1 child)

/u/Inquisitive_idiot…You. Are my number one. A-AGUYYYYY.

[–]Inquisitive_idiot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

😘 + 🔥 + 💀

[–]notthatconcerned 112 points113 points  (15 children)

Except condoms, please.

[–]ADarwinAward 63 points64 points  (4 children)

It might fall under medical devices

J&J said it would continue to supply medicines and medical devices in the region as those are excluded from Western sanctions

[–]kangaroovagina 1 point2 points  (3 children)

What condoms do they make? Also it is not a medical device, it would be under Depuy Synthes product page if so

[–]Spazum 5 points6 points  (2 children)

Condoms are medical devices per regulation: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpcd/classification.cfm?id=4148

[–]kangaroovagina 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Jnjs medical device company is Depuy Synthes. I don't see condoms as a product

[–][deleted] 37 points38 points  (4 children)

K fine…but won’t be any lube 😤

[–]tretower424 6 points7 points  (0 children)

KY fine...

[–]myflippinggoodness 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I believe you are referring to party balloons

Well I see no real issues here at all 👍

[–]YouThinkYouCanBanMe -1 points0 points  (1 child)

Why must you condemn Russian women like that?

[–]Samus10011 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Russians already condemned their women, didn't you know, domestic violence is legal there.

[–]amac109 -1 points0 points  (4 children)

Don't want another third world country on our hands

[–]CatAstrophy11 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That's inevitable for Russia at this point

[–]Bob_Juan_Santos 6 points7 points  (2 children)

russia can't be 3rd world because they are the definition of 2nd world.

[–]Braelind 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The middle class of countries is quickly disappearing. Imagine if we spent our military budgets sponsoring and raising up those 3rd world countries.

[–]Suiseiseki_Desu -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Akhtshchually

[–]slp033000 56 points57 points  (10 children)

I guess Russians are going to have to go somewhere else for their asbestos baby powder.

[–]diabloman8890 17 points18 points  (5 children)

You jest, but J&J is one of those companies that makes probably fully 1/3 of all the products you bring into your house each week. They're like the Nestle of household products.

They own all these brands and hundreds more:

Tylenol

Benadryl

Imodium

Visine

Zyrtec

Neosporin

BAND-AID

Neutrogena

Aveeno

Lubriderm

[–]yellkaa 3 points4 points  (2 children)

Tylenol, Imodium and others are being produced by many other companies, just under different names. Those are just basic meds pretty cheap in production that cost way less than those J&J products if bought under their pharmaceutical names in a regular pharmacy. And ‘Tylenol’ is definitely less known there than ‘paracetamol’

[–]The-Protomolecule 7 points8 points  (1 child)

He’s just saying they make known brands that you might not expect. jnj absolutely still sells these name brand products in Russia.

[–]yellkaa -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I see. They’ve been throwing lots of money to advertise Imodium and Visine in that region, but I think the second half of the list was never sold there? At least, in Ukraine those brands were definitely not commonly present. So yeah, they may probably still sell some of those products there, but not all as they were not so massively present in that sector there, I believe, to begin with.

[–]kangaroovagina 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah that was a stupid comment by OP. The company provides a lot of products that people use w no issue

[–]tretower424 5 points6 points  (3 children)

"Now with extra asbestos! Special to Russian market!"

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Was thinking the same thing. This is actually probably in Russians best interests

[–]Oskarikali 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I came here to post this as well. Can they pull out of Canada while they're at it?

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They were sued, and lost, but the state of Oklahoma for their predatory prescription sales tactics when it came to their Opium-based/like products. I firmly believe they lead to my fathers gradual death.

Edit: I think it was for like, $17M or something. In reality, that’s nothing to them, but my Dad was worth more.

[–]mr_rouncewell 21 points22 points  (2 children)

The only legitimate form of government is democracy.

Among other reasons, it is ultimately the People who suffer the consequences of bad government and so they must have the power to choose and to change it.

[–]Inquisitive_idiot 7 points8 points  (0 children)

”Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others”

[–]lookatmykwok 9 points10 points  (1 child)

I work for a company that only announced the withdrawal from Russia last week.

This wasn't because our leaders were slow to act, but because the Russian government has threatened to jail (or worse) our employees in Russia for a pullout.

Why didnt they leave Russia sooner? Those employees are Russian citizens.

[–]Old_Rise_4086 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Dude its so nuts what people are going thru

[–][deleted] 67 points68 points  (42 children)

the intense peer pressure on these companies is very high, so many leaving, Russia is so over now.. Putin not only destroyed Ukraine, but also totally fucked, and destroyed his own country, I feel very sorry for the common Russians who live there, as this isn't their fault

[–]_invalidusername 121 points122 points  (11 children)

It’s definitely the fault of some Russians. A lot of people in Russia support Putin, even some Russians living abroad support Putin

[–]evolutionxtinct 13 points14 points  (0 children)

We call those here supporting Russians GOP voters lol we have a council member who believes Putin is right that’s how screwed this all is!

[–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (3 children)

yeah I know, sigh,though I'm not sure what they see in him,

[–]KeikakuAccelerator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I mean "strong" / "masculine" type leaders are popular for a reason. See Xi, Modi, Trump. Some are obviously more competent than others but without anyone to challenge their viewpoints (aka opposition) it leads to mayhem sooner or later.

[–]Clemambi 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Putin was the man who led russia out of communism and turmoil of the 90s into a relatively safe and prosperous 0s. To my mind, he did pretty terrible job and he couldn't have done much worse, but to many russians he was a strong leader in a time of need who improved their situation.

[–]Suiseiseki_Desu 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He is their totalitarian daddy who tells them what to do and doesn't take no for an answer. russians love guys like this

[–]SanjaBgk 2 points3 points  (5 children)

As a Russian I like to point out that 65% of Republicans still believe Biden wasn't legitimately elected which makes them 1/3 of the country - despite them having access to uncensored TV channels, web, and newspapers. Now think what 21 years of slowly accelerating propaganda can do.

And let me remind you, everyone was totally fine with that - Londngrad was awash with stolen money, top TV propagandists were enjoying luxury properties in Italy, yachts were built. Before placing blame, US and Europe needs to do some soul-searching first.

Instead J&J stops selling sanitary pads and tampons for women. That's pathetic and pointless, as if it would teach Pres. Putin something.

[–]Snowstandards 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Yeah my wife is still in Russia while we wait for her permanent visa. She said it's really difficult to find sanitarys and if you do find them they can be 5 times the price.

[–]SanjaBgk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There was some panic buying and various stuff has had spikes in prices (for example, a 500-sheet pack of office paper suddenly went up 300%, but then got back to a "normal" +50% price hike). Women stocked up with tampons and sanitary pads just in case which led to brief shortages. Logistics will go nuts in July / August, but before that the supply chain in retail will sort of work.

[–]pineconebasket -1 points0 points  (0 children)

There are many less expensive sanitary pads and tampon manufacturers.

Maybe when your country invades another country and starts killing babies, you might have to go generic brands.

[–]tcsac 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Oh, it's not a problem. Putin told us they'll just replace all of the industries pulling out with internal companies. Never mind the fact they have no funds or tribal knowledge to build any of it. And the constant siphoning of profits by everyone in the chain will make it nearly impossible to build from scratch.

This is fine... everything is fine...

[–]Hadren-Blackwater 33 points34 points  (3 children)

Putin is popular.

Much more so than navalny or anyone else for that matter, despite all the corruption and assassinations.

Russian dug their graves with Putin.

Now they will and should be buried in them.

[–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (1 child)

He's popular because he has control of the media, and of all the other powerful people in Russia. It's easy to be popular when you control the media.

[–]goingfullretard-orig 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's how conservatives are able to still garner votes.

[–][deleted] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Russians don't even believe their Ukrainian family members who call them to tell them they're under attack. The average Russian can get fucked as well.

[–]marriedtootaku 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You must be judging people based on yourself. Unfortunately, I have family in Russia. They support Putin and the war against Ukraine. You could call them brainwashed, but they reject hearing the truth from me. I guess a better term would be brainwashed by choice.

[–]akaBenz 8 points9 points  (18 children)

After decades of allowing the same shit and not violently revolting, you gotta stop feeling sorry for people who are just complacent to do nothing.

Don’t feel sorry for Russians. Don’t feel sorry for USA citizens. Don’t feel sorry for North Korean citizens.

History has shown time and again how to make regime change happen, and that’s the mass will and action of the people.

People just don’t care enough to actually cause change anymore. That’s not something you should feel sorry for.

[–]Mommato3boys66 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I do feel bad for North Koreans.

[–]Hosni__Mubarak 15 points16 points  (1 child)

I’m pretty sure democracy exists because the United States had a violent revolt. We’ve also had a few very violent revolts since that enacted major social change.

That last one doesn’t count. Those were morons.

[–]What_its_full_of 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That last one doesn’t count. Those were morons.

Can't win when you don't have an endgame.

[–]PrestigeMaster 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Yeah losers just go sacrifice your lives and those of your families for the freedoms we enjoy in the west. That’s what our great great great grandparents did - why can’t you just do the same? It was so easy for me personally. /s

[–][deleted] 9 points10 points  (10 children)

yes, I understand that, but from watching YT channel 1420 ( which is amazing) it's really obvious these common people are totally brainwashed, and simply know , no other ways...though many , lately seem to be waking up.. maybe in time, they'll get their shit together.. the sooner, the better,

[–]0nnyx 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mostly agree. Felt pity for the average Russians initially but not anymore given all the inconsistencies and change of stances/reasons about their special operation aired on RU TV channels. I can't believe these people are dumb and hermetic to critical thinking.

So either they support their war or don't care as much as to act collectively. Their "no to war" protests are clearly weak and insufficient.

Time for them to stop behaving like sheeps or robots and understand they can change their country. Of course that requires lot of courage and potentially sacrifice but that's how people fight and fought historically for their values.

[–]Articletopixposting2 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It's a little feeling sorry for them being such pod people, but the other thing is, as world technology advances these are dangerous desperate animals with just bomb and savage defaults.

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

this isn't their fault

Putin still has a majority approval on this war from last polling, granted a narrow one. Even if their elections weren't rigged, which I will assume for this that they are, this would be the equivalent of a democratic society approving of a war, even if not everyone agreed. As much as it pains me to say it, I think the average Russian has to be condemned too.

[–]autotldrBOT 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 62%. (I'm a bot)

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comMarch 29 - Johnson & Johnson said on Tuesday it would suspend the supply of its personal care products in Russia, joining a host of other companies that have distanced themselves from Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.

J&J's consumer health segment sells a range of products for personal use including skin health, beauty and oral care products such as Neutrogena, Aveeno and Listerine.

AbbVie, which owns blockbuster wrinkle treatment Botox, said earlier this month it had temporarily suspended operations for all its aesthetics products in Russia.

Extended Summary | FAQ | Feedback | Top keywords: Russia#1 products#2 Johnson#3 such#4 Register#5

[–]mariegriffiths 7 points8 points  (0 children)

How is Putin going to have his gay sex orgies without a plentuful supply of K Y Jelly?

[–]K9Marz919 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Don’t worry, Russia is full up on douches at the moment. They’ll be fine

[–]Apart_Number_2792 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In the end, the Ukrainian and Russian citizens are the ones who will suffer the most. The elites? Not so much.

[–]peepeedog 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No more No More Tears.

[–]Speculawyer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Russian Metro gonna get stinky!

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Mother Russia gonna have a stanky pussy

[–]Articletopixposting2 9 points10 points  (4 children)

I don't know how to feel about that. Babies and women sanitation needs...whatever they make. Idk.

[–]Vik0BG 7 points8 points  (1 child)

Might save the babies from cancer.

[–]Articletopixposting2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a point in studies, true

[–]lynx_and_nutmeg 0 points1 point  (1 child)

It's not like they're the only provider. Something aš basic as all that hygiene stuff with always have producers.

[–]Articletopixposting2 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Idk the quality control considering their recent money troubles, but figurative fingers crossed!

[–]FlaveC 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can see the headline in Pravda: "Putin accuses the US of chemical warfare as population chokes on BO."

[–]trextra 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Most of their consumer personal and self-care products are in high-competition fields with several acceptable substitutes. They do have a lot of genericized products (i.e. so dominant for such a long time that people use their brand name as a generic term), but once that happens, they lose product differentiation anyway.

From looking at their brand list, their big money is in essential care products, medical devices and prescription pharmaceuticals. So this is for show.

[–]Septos2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Blood will flow over this.

[–]Undercover_Gitane 1 point2 points  (1 child)

More will follow. Hopefully the Russian people will all turn on Putin.

[–]ClubSoda 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Morgan Freeman narrator voice: They won't.

Russians are happiest when they are suffering the most.

[–]kriznis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That'll teach Putin. 🙄

[–]ClubSoda 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ivan: Chop potato in half. Good Russian roll on times two. Beat that imperialist fascist.

[–]TeciorRibbon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"But how's Putin gonna powder his ass every morning?"

[–]jectosnows 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Ok but like russian citizens...they had no say in the war and are being harshly punished by the world.

[–]dirtymoney 1 point2 points  (0 children)

gonna be a lot of chapped thighs.

[–]Amorougen 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Maybe they should send them talcum powder.

[–]I_eat_ass_NS 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh God, Russia is going t0 stink even more than before

[–]punkin_sumthin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh nooooooo, not my q-tips!

[–]Define-S 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hurra!! Thank you for supporting Ukraine!

God bless you.

[–]LAsupersonic 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If J&J stops selling anywhere, they're doing them a favor taking their cancer causing crap out of the market.

[–]marco8080 0 points1 point  (1 child)

What would the reaction be if ordinary Americans were sanctioned for their government killing civilians in Iraq?

[–]Old_Rise_4086 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Remember "freedom fries"?

[–]LucyRiversinker 0 points1 point  (3 children)

No tampons? No, no, that better be listed under medical devices. Tampons or pads are not luxuries or optional.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Sanctioned companies won't be sending anything because they cannot get paid. The russian people can stop putin at any time if they do not like it.

[–]Hefty-Relationship-8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They won't be sneaking up on anyone.

[–]asmj 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Less cancer in Russia.

[–]cctdad 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The dearth of Rogaine should become apparent at some point.

[–]reddituser_sixety9 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s cool but still Fuck j and j

[–]tretower424 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What?! No baby powder and no more "No More Tears"??

Prepare to chafe, and cry whenever you shampoo, Russians.

[–]theamoeba 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No more talcum powder for Putin’s bumbums 😰🤭

[–]aukstais 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No cancer for russian babies, just for amerecans - J&J

[–]tukekairo -2 points-1 points  (3 children)

Like Talcum powder?

[–][deleted] 9 points10 points  (2 children)

Have a look at the J&J portfolio. Its a lot more than you think

[–]donaldfranklinhornii -3 points-2 points  (1 child)

More cancer?

[–]fubarbob -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Just put prop 65 stickers on everything; it will be fine.

[–]lola1973lola -2 points-1 points  (6 children)

Fantastic! Is there more that Johnson&Johnson can be doing?

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (2 children)

Maybe take responsibility for all the cases and deaths from Ovarian Cancer?

If you don’t know, for decades they used ingredients in their powders that caused Ovarian Cancer in women. Ovarian Cancer usually isn’t found until Stage 3, so it’s 40% survival. Pretty grim stuff.

[–]b0bwashere 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Most legitimate scientific studies would disagree. I’d avoid getting your facts from any plaintiff where the potential payoff is that large.

[–]bonyponyride 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Talc is a mined mineral. Sometimes it naturally occurs in conjunction with another mineral, asbestos. J&J was packaging talcum powder that contained a small percentage of asbestos. Turns out that's not a great thing to breathe in or rub on your lady parts. Oops.

[–]awildkateappeared 1 point2 points  (0 children)

they also donated $10 million USD to International Rescue Committee and Red Cross for humanitarian aid for refugees

[–]DatJazz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well they shouldn't be stopping actual medicine going into the country

[–]Mendicant_666 -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

There is absolutely more. But, you know, capitalism. Gotta make the almighty dollar. Any company still supplying them with anything is war profiteering.

[–]Elektromek -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Oh no, they won’t be able to get any more of the cancer causing baby powder.

[–]Vik0BG -5 points-4 points  (6 children)

Fuck. Maybe we should invade countries too. Fuck you J&J. Giving cancer to babies.

[–]kangaroovagina 2 points3 points  (5 children)

They aren't giving cancer to babies hahaha

[–]Vik0BG -1 points0 points  (4 children)

https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/johnsonandjohnson-cancer/

Hahah

[–]kangaroovagina 1 point2 points  (3 children)

They are grown women with ovarian cancer. Babies are not getting cancer from the powder

[–]Vik0BG 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Fair enough.

[–]Jebediah_Johnson -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Russian babies and women will stop getting cancer from Johnson & Johnson products. Lucky.

[–]AdministrationLow538 -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

But how will they give the Russians cancer?

[–]VinceSamios -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

J&J gave a lot of people cancer .... Let's keep sending talc to Russia please...

[–]BoneyardLord 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Excellent !

[–]tukekairo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fubar? Like SNAFU

[–]SecondaryPenetrator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Or just send the bad batches of talc.

[–]castle_grapeskull 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe they can ship all their poisonous baby powder to them.

[–]supertramp75 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s great news, Russians will be cancer free.

[–]shavemejesus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They’re going to start looking like the news anchors in the Michael Keaton Batman movie.

[–]AmbitiousTour 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Send them all the free baby powder you can.

[–]Samus10011 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Now wait a minute everyone.

J&J makes a lot of healthcare products, from bandages to baby products. J&J may have been late pulling out but, to be fair, a lot of their product are simply to keep people healthy, they aren't luxury goods. I can totally understand their reluctance to stop selling in Russia when it directly effects the health of children.

Fast food, soda, microchips, cars, etc... I totally get why they needed to stop as soon as the war broke out.

Tooth paste and baby lotion, not so much.

There are still plenty of luxury goods being sold in Russia. Can we save the hate for those companies?

[–]NikitaNarva 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is this the company that makes cotton swabs?

[–]Mehhish 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess Russians will no longer be able to get cancer from their baby powder, like the rest of the world can!

[–]blacktag1980 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Imagine Russian reporters not being able to stand each other due to body odor or look at each other's pimpled face. That is some Batman- Joker scenario right there.