Shares in Johnson & Johnson, which employs 2,200 people at Irish sales facilities and plants, fell after the company reported disappointing pharmaceutical and consumer product sales.

Irish patients with blood cancer are the first worldwide to take part in a new drug trial to develop more effective treatment for multiple myeloma, a potentially fatal condition.

The huge strengths of Ireland’s exporting base — which helped the country get through its worst ever economic crisis — were highlighted yesterday in the annual publication of the list of the top exporters on the island.

They say crime doesn’t pay, but in this unique case it will help highlight the good work that many previously unsung young heroes do for their communities.

In one of the largest healthcare fraud settlements in US history, Johnson & Johnson will pay $2.2 billion (€1.6bn) to end civil and criminal investigations into kickbacks to pharmacists and the marketing of pharmaceuticals for off-label uses, US attorney general Eric Holder has said.