Exhibit 99.15

       INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION REQUIRED WHEN USING
EPREX/ERPYO (EPOETIN ALFA) IN CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE PATIENTS

Subcutaneous administration still available for oncology and
                       other patients

     PARIS, France (December 2, 2002) -- Janssen-Cilag, a
subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, today announced that it
will initiate, in consultation with French Health Authority
(AFSAPPS), an Urgent Safety Restriction (USR) to change its
Summary of Product Characteristics (European labeling) for
EPREX/ERYPO (epoetin alfa) to further ensure intravenous
administration of the medicine when treating anemia in
patients with chronic renal failure (CRF).  The Company
anticipates that, following the USR, EPREX labeling will be
updated to include a contraindication of subcutaneous use of
the product in chronic renal failure patients.  The USR
process provides for consultation and feedback from all EU
Member States within a 24-hour period.  The Company also
announced that it will begin an extensive epidemiological
study of patients with chronic renal failure and other
conditions who are receiving erythropoietin therapy,
including EPREX.
     Subcutaneous administration of EPREX remains available
for the treatment of anemia in patients undergoing cancer
chemotherapy, and elective orthopedic surgery.  There have
been no reports of antibody-mediated PRCA in patients with
these conditions.
     Ensuring intravenous administration of EPREX when
treating CRF patients will reinforce several steps the
Company has taken regarding rare instances of antibody-
mediated Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA).  These steps already
have resulted in a substantial shift toward physician
administration of EPREX by the IV route in many major EU
markets.
     Sales of EPREX were $1.1 billion for the full year,
2001, and approximately $300 million for the third quarter,
2002.  The CRF portion of this market represents
approximately 50% of the third quarter 2002 sales.  As a
result of the effort described above, we estimate that
approximately 70 - 80% of CRF patients are now administered
EPREX intravenously.
     Robert J. Darretta, Chief Financial Officer of Johnson
& Johnson has indicated that the actions as described are
not expected to impact current year financial results or to
impact previous guidance of $2.61 in earnings per share
(EPS) for 2003, as provided during the conference call held
on October 15, 2002 when 3rd quarter earnings were
announced.
     Janssen-Cilag has been in ongoing communication with
European regulatory authorities regarding converting
physician administration of EPREX to IV use in CRF.  The
Company has also taken several steps to underscore the
importance of correct storage and handling procedures and
refrigerated conditions for EPREX and other
biopharmaceutical medications.  It has reinforced shipping
and handling guidelines on its EPREX labeling and
instructions, issued guidelines on "supply chain" handling
to wholesalers, hospitals and pharmacies, begun a "best
handling practices" program to educate hospital staffs,
pharmacists and patients about appropriate product handling
of biopharmaceuticals, and is introducing a consistent,
validated "cold chain" packaging program for patient
transportation of EPREX.
     The Company's ongoing investigation of Pure Red Cell
Aplasia (PRCA) in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients show
that the exposure-adjusted reporting rate for antibody-
mediated PRCA, as of September 30, 2002, continues to be
rare.  All 112 reports of antibody-mediated PRCA associated
with EPREXr in CRF as of September 30, 2002 have involved
subcutaneous administration.  The Company's investigation
continues to find no association between IV administration
of EPREXr and rare reports of antibody-mediated PRCA in CRF.
     With more than 1.7 million patient years of clinical
experience in CRF in countries outside of the U.S., EPREX
continues to provide timely, safe, effective and cost-
effective treatment that increases hemoglobin levels,
thereby reducing transfusion requirements and treating
anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease when used in
accordance with its label.
     In consultation with worldwide regulatory authorities
and scientific experts, Janssen-Cilag, Johnson & Johnson
Pharmaceutical Research & Development and other Johnson &
Johnson affiliates throughout the world are conducting a
rigorous and comprehensive investigation into rare case
reports of PRCA associated with erythropoietin products,
including EPREX.  The Company is analyzing case reports,
studying the scientific literature and conducting research
studies in order to better understand this rare disease, its
causes, incidence and treatment.

(This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These statements are based on current expectations of
future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or
unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results
could vary materially from the Company's expectations and
projections.  A list and description of these risks,
uncertainties and other factors can be found in Exhibit
99(b) of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 30, 2001. Copies of this Form 10-
K are available online at www.sec.gov <http://www.sec.gov/>
or on request from the Company. The Company assumes no
obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a
result of new information or future events or developments.)