Advanced Medical Optics does the right thing
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Often I write about Big Corporations who place profits over people. It appears that some of the members of Corporate America can, in fact, demonstrate responsible and prudent conduct. Reuters reported today that Advanced Medical Optics recalled nearly three million units of their Complete Moisture Plus contact lens solution. Chris Muller, a senior marketing executive stated that, although they received no complaints in the US so far:
"We had a handful of adverse-event complaints in China and one in Japan, which involved minor eye redness, irritation and blurred vision"
The company discovered that the solution was contaminated by ralstonia bacteria; a water borne organism, not usually associated with eye infections. Though Advanced Medical considered the risk to eye infection to be low, the threat of potential eye infection motivated them to recall the lots.
One must reflect on the conduct demonstrated by another member of Corporate America, Bausch & Lomb, when faced with a similar situation. Bausch probably knew they had "problems" with eye infection for at least six months before they finally were forced into a recall by the FDA.
Bausch began receiving complaints from Singapore, possibly as early as July of 2005, about eye infections suffered by patients using their ReNu with MoistureLoc product. They not only did not institute a recall, but they also did not think it was important to notify the FDA about the infections. Even when the FDA learned of the MoistureLoc problems, Bausch appeared to continue to resist recall of the product.
What does Advanced Medical benefit by acting responsibly? Their stock value went down and they now have press that negatively impacts their product; was it a good decision on their part? Of course it was good decision. What happened when McNeil announced their massive recall of Tylenol for something they really had no control over? Tylenol bounced back and McNeil suffered only temporary losses. They ultimately looked like "good guys"!
Will Bausch bounce back from MoistureLoc? Only time will tell, but they will always be remembered for being less than a responsible member of Corporate America. For now, it appears that kudos are in order for Advanced Medical Optics!