Thought Leadership

Imagine a world where there are a handful of recalls a year. Each one would be big news, even if it involved a relatively low hazard or small number of products. But that’s not the world we live in. In fact, there are more than 3,000 recalls every year in the U.S. alone – roughly nine per day. At that pace, it’s no wonder response rates are often very low. But just how low depends on many factors.

A recent survey found that pharmaceutical recalls are among the types consumers consider most important – the ones most likely to catch their attention. With that kind of interest, it is vital for companies to execute recalls effectively and compliantly. And the key steps for managing pharmaceutical recalls are as complex as the regulations that govern them.

When a company is about to initiate a recall, regulators may seem like the enemy – ready to pounce at the slightest misstep. But the reality is typically very different, and this viewpoint can actually make the situation worse. A better approach is to work closely with regulators and position your company as a partner, rather than an adversary. Here are some steps to go about it: Act fast. One of the most common mistakes companies make is also one of the worst: waiting too long.

With Thanksgiving behind us, consumers have turned their attention to holiday shopping. Americans are expected to spend more this year than last, and when you look at where they plan to spend those dollars, toys make up one of the top gift categories.

Recalls aren’t seasonal. They can happen to any product, from any company, at any time of the year. But as the saying goes, perception is reality, and that is also true when a recall is issued for a product near the holiday when it is most likely to be used. Since food products are often most likely to gain widespread attention anyway, when the two factors intersect, companies can often be carved up by the media and consumers. It has happened before. While news of turkey recalls have often been