The FBI is investigating a Johnson & Johnson surgical device that was found
to spread cancer in women. The FBI is also investigating the fact that J&J knew about the tool’s
hazards before pulling it off the market last year.
The device is called a laparoscopic power
morcellator, which is meant to remove tumors from
the uterus. It is also a device used most in hysterectomies. It breaks up
fibroids or benign tumors in the uterus. But they're suspected of spreading
cancer cells in some women.
It is unclear what stage the inquiry is in. The Federal
Bureau of Investigation’s Newark, NJ office, which is overseeing the
investigation according to the three people interviewed, declined to comment. A
Johnson & Johnson spokesman said the New Jersey-based medical company isn’t aware of an
investigation into the device.
Over the past several months, FBI agents have interviewed a retired
pathologist who alerted J&J about potential problems with morcellators in
2006; a doctor who went public after her own cancer was worsened by the tool in
2013; and a California woman who has collected names of close to 400 patients
and families of patients who may have been harmed by the tool, these people
said.
Sarah Robinson, a physician assistant in Los Altos, California, said the FBI contacted her about two months ago. Ms. Robinson, who
testified at an FDA hearing on the morcellator, has collected a list of women
and families of women who believe their cancer was worsened by the device. Ms.
Robinson said she sent an FBI agent a list of 386 names, which includes
herself, on April 3.
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