First-quarter figures released by Johnson & Johnson this week showed underlying sales in its Consumer Health division had fallen 2.9% to $3.54bn. This was attributed to it facing tough comparatives with the same period last year, which was boosted by consumers stockpiling OTC products at the start of the pandemic.
OTC sales were down 14.8% in the quarter but this decline was partially offset by growth of its Listerine oral care products (+4.5%), Johnson’s baby care range (+9.5%), skin health/beauty lines (+2.8%), and Nicorette.
Johnson & Johnson’s group underlying sales rose 5.5% to $22.3bn, driven by strong growth in its Pharmaceutical (+7.4%) and Medical Devices (8.8%) divisions.
EVP and CFO Joe Wolk said: “We are stronger as a business than before the pandemic, and our first quarter 2021 results give us even more confidence in our ability to continue delivering compelling performance in the future.”
