Adobe StockA group of Scottish women have been granted permission to sue pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson over claims that it sold talcum powder that caused cancer.
The women believe the firm knew about the dangers of a carcinogen within the product for decades, and that they, or loved ones, developed cancer after prolonged use of the powder.
Thousands of people in England and Wales are taking the company to court for allegedly suppressing information regarding the contamination; however, this is the first contaminated-talc legal action to be raised in the Scottish court.
The decision follows a permission hearing — the stage at which the Court of Session decides whether group proceedings can go ahead. To grant permission, the court must be satisfied that the claims have a real chance of succeeding and that a group action is an appropriate way to bring them. The proceedings will now continue as a group action in Scotland.
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‘I used Johnson & Johnson powder every day – I believe it caused my cancer’
Lawyers for the women have described the case as an “international scandal”.
They refer to a memo from the 1960s, which shows that Johnson & Johnson (J&J) sought advice from various scientists regarding the safety of tremolite, a type of asbestos, within products.
The memo advised that the use of tremolite should be minimised and that the safety of talc for babies could no longer be guaranteed.
SuppliedHelene Rose from Aberdeen is part of the group taking legal action against the firm.
The 67-year-old was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer in 2024 after using the company’s talcum powder for decades.
Helene believes that she doesn’t “have any other reason for having this disease” after testing negative for genetic markers.
She said: “One would assume that Johnson & Johnson, being associated with baby powder, would be trustworthy and have integrity.
“You would expect their powder to be safe and pure enough for babies. I think it is terrible, what they have done, in the manufacture, marketing, and sale of the powder and the extent to which they have gone to cover up the evidence of their wrongdoing.
“Companies should know that they can’t get away with doing this kind of thing and should be held accountable for ruining people’s lives.”
Former Glasgow City Council manager Linda Smyth was forced to give up her job after she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
The 63-year-old used talcum powder daily as a child and continued to use it during her teenage years. She believes somebody needs to be “held accountable”.
Linda said: “I’m not on a mission to take down Johnson & Johnson.
“I just think something has to be done. Somebody needs to be held accountable, somebody needs to say, ‘yes we did that, and we’re really sorry.'”
The sale of baby powder containing talc in the UK was stopped in 2023.
J&J has also faced legal action in the US, which has resulted in significant damages being paid out by the company.
Last December, Baltimore woman Cherie Craft was awarded $1.5bn in damages after she developed mesothelioma after a lifetime of using J&J talc products.
A spokesperson from J&J previously said: “Research, clinical evidence and over 40 years of studies by independent medical experts around the world have supported the safety of Johnson’s Baby Powder.”
Kenvue, the former J&J associated consumer health company, has also been named in the lawsuit.
A spokesperson previously said: “We sympathise deeply with people living with cancer and understand that they and their families want answers - that’s why the facts are so important.
“The safety of JOHNSON’S® Baby Powder is backed by years of testing by independent and leading laboratories, universities, and health authorities in the UK and around the world.
“The high-quality cosmetic grade talc that was used in JOHNSON’S® Baby Powder was compliant with required regulatory standards, did not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer.”
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