Linda Johnson

AP Business Writer
Latest in Operations
Security Breach Podcast
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August 27, 2025
Tribal Knowledge
Manufacturing's Brain Drain Crisis: Capturing Critical Knowledge Before It Retires
August 29, 2025
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Disputed Ballots Could Swing Outcome of Union Election at EV Battery Complex in Kentucky
August 29, 2025
Ep413
Milwaukee Tool Employee Allegedly Shipped More Than $1 Million in Tools to Himself
August 29, 2025
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Bas De Vos
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Apple Watch for Field Service Engineers
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Operations
The Changing Mix for U.S. Electricity
A woman and her PA-based cheese firms plead guilty to producing cheese with too little cheese and too much wood pulp.
Regulation
PA Cheese Firms Plead Guilty in Wood Pulp Case
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More from Linda Johnson
Security Breach Podcast
Sponsored
Security Breach Podcast
A new video series from Manufacturing.net - Security Breach, looks to offer the insight and tools needed to ready your company's defenses. Stay up-to-date on today's vital cybersecurity topics by subscribing here.
August 27, 2025
In this Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019 file photo, Albert Bourla, chief executive officer of Pfizer, prepares to testify before the Senate Finance Committee hearing on drug prices, on Capitol Hill in Washington. On Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, Bourla wrote to Pfizer employees that he's “disappointed” the timing for a vaccine to be available was politicized during Tuesday night’s presidential debate, saying the company won’t succumb to political pressure.
Product Development
Pfizer CEO Pushes Back on Vaccine Timing
He's disappointed that the company's work is being politicized and reassured staff that he won’t bend to pressure to move more quickly.
October 2, 2020
This Oct. 21, 2019, photo shows Johnson's Baby Aloe & Vitamin E Powder in Salt Lake City. Johnson & Johnson reports financial results Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Johnson & Johnson is ending production of its iconic talc-based Johnson’s Baby Powder, which has been embroiled in thousands of lawsuits claiming it caused cancer. The world’s biggest maker of health care products said Tuesday, May 19, 2020 that the discontinuation only affects the U.S. and Canada, where demand has been declining.
Safety
J&J to Stop Selling Talc-Based Baby Powder in US
The company says the decline in demand for these products in North America has been "fueled by misinformation."
May 19, 2020
This photo provided by Novo Nordisk Inc. shows its Tresiba brand insulin. On Tuesday, April 14, 2020, Novo Nordisk announced a new program offering free insulin for at least three months months for diabetes patients who have lost their insurance amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supply Chain
Insulin Makers Offer Drug Free, or Cheap
All top three insulin makers are now offering programs to help patients.
April 15, 2020
This Oct. 21, 2019, photo shows Johnson's Baby Aloe & Vitamin E Powder in Salt Lake City. Johnson & Johnson reports financial results Tuesday, April 14, 2020.
Operations
J&J Races to Develop Vaccine
The company also slashed its 2020 sales forecast by billions of dollars.
April 14, 2020
This undated photo provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office shows a phony coronavirus cure that a British man tried to smuggle into the United States. Con artists are finding lots of marks amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Watchdog groups and authorities report a surge of complaints about scams targeting people who fear catching the virus or need money due to lost income.
Product Development
COVID-19 Cure Cons Run Rampant
Americans filed complaints about losses to coronavirus-related fraud totaling nearly $6 million.
April 8, 2020
In this July 8, 2016, file photo, a pharmacist holds a package of EpiPens epinephrine auto-injector, a Mylan product, in Sacramento, Calif. On Tuesday, March 24, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned the public about malfunctions involving some EpiPens, the emergency injectors for severe allergic reactions.
Product Development
Malfunctioning EpiPens Could Harm Patients
The malfunctions can prevent or delay the devices from injecting the drug or cause them to eject it prematurely.
March 25, 2020
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Product Development
Hospitals Fear Ventilator Shortages
Up to 960,000 coronavirus patients in the U.S. may need ventilators. The nation has 200,000.
March 18, 2020
This Aug. 2, 2018, file photo shows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration building behind FDA logos at a bus stop on the agency's campus in Silver Spring, Md.
Operations
US Warns Over Fraudulent Coronavirus Claims
The companies are selling soaps, sprays and other concoctions with false claims that they can treat the new coronavirus or keep people from catching it.
March 10, 2020
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Supply Chain
FDA Says Drug Shortage Tied to Virus Outbreak
They declined to identify the manufacturer or the product.
March 2, 2020
This undated image provided by Eisai in August 2018 shows the company's Belviq medication.
Supply Chain
Weight Loss Drug Pulled Over Cancer Risk
Despite the FDA's ruling, the manufacturer feels the drug’s benefits outweigh any risks.
February 14, 2020
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Operations
Chinese Scientists Ask for Patent on US Drug
The country has the right under WTO rules to declare an emergency and compel a company to license a patent to protect the public.
February 6, 2020
This May 1, 2018, file photo shows Merck corporate headquarters in Kenilworth, N.J. Merck is posting a 29% jump in fourth-quarter profit and it's spinning off its women's health division and other operations that churn out $6.5 billion in annual revenues. The drugmaker on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020 reported net income of $2.36 billion, up from $1.83 billion, a year earlier.
Operations
Merck Spins Off
It's spinning off its women's health division and other operations.
February 5, 2020
In this undated photo provided by Civica, Inc., former drug industry executive Martin VanTrieste poses for a photo. VanTrieste, who came out of retirement to run Civica without a salary, recently spoke with the Associated Press.
Operations
Hospital Group Fights Drug Shortages by Making Meds
Hospitals are fed up with shortages of critical medicines.
January 28, 2020
This photo provided by Johnson & Johnson shows the company's baby powder. Walmart, CVS and Rite Aid have pulled some or all 22-ounce bottles of Johnson’s baby powder from shelves to avoid confusing consumers, after a minuscule amount of asbestos was found in one bottle. Johnson & Johnson recalled all 33,000 bottles from the same lot as that bottle last Friday, a day after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration notified the company that routine testing discovered the asbestos in one bottle bought from an online retailer.
Safety
Retailers Pull Johnson's Baby Powder
The recall comes as J&J is fighting thousands of lawsuits alleging the talc in its iconic baby powder was contaminated with asbestos and gave plaintiffs ovarian cancer or mesothelioma.
October 28, 2019