Exhibit 99.15

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Third Quarter 2005 Financial Results
Johnson & Johnson Reports 2005 Third Quarter
EPS Rose 11.5% on Sales Increase of 6.6%

New Brunswick, NJ (October 18, 2005) - Johnson & Johnson
today announced sales for the third quarter of $12.3
billion, an increase of 6.6% over the prior year. The
increase represented operational growth of 5.8% and a
favorable currency impact of .8%. Domestic sales were up
2.6%, while international sales increased 12.2%, reflecting
operational growth of 10.3% and a positive currency impact
of 1.9%.

Net earnings and diluted earnings per share for the third
quarter were $2.6 billion and $.87, increases of 12.1% and
11.5%, respectively, as compared to the same period in 2004.
Prior-year third quarter net earnings included after-tax in-
process research and development charges of $12 million
associated with the acquisition of Scott Lab, Inc.

"Our broadly based approach to businesses in support of
human health care continues to serve us well," said William
C. Weldon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "The strong
performance of our worldwide Medical Devices and Diagnostics
and Consumer segments resulted in solid growth for Johnson &
Johnson despite the competitive challenges that our
Pharmaceutical business has experienced."

Worldwide Medical Devices and Diagnostics sales of $4.6
billion for the third quarter represented an increase over
the prior year of 14.3% with operational growth of 13.7% and
a positive impact from currency of .6%. Domestic sales
increased 14.1%, while international sales increased 14.5%
(13.3% from operations and 1.2% from currency).

Cordis' circulatory disease management products were a key
contributor to the segment results with the primary driver
being the CYPHER Sirolimus-eluting Coronary Stent, which
reduces restenosis (reblockage) of a treated coronary
artery. CYPHER is the worldwide leader in drug-eluting
stents having now been used to treat more than 1.5 million
patients with coronary artery disease.

Also contributing to the strong performance of the segment
were the results from DePuy's orthopaedic joint
reconstruction and spinal products, Ortho-Clinical
Diagnostics' professional diagnostic products and Vistakon's
disposable contact lenses.

Worldwide Pharmaceutical sales of $5.5 billion for the third
quarter represented a decrease of .5% as compared to the
prior year with an operational decline of 1.1% and a
positive impact from currency of .6%. Domestic sales
decreased 4.5%, while international sales increased 7.8%
(6.0% from operations and 1.8% from currency).

Sales results for DURAGESIC (fentanyl transdermal system),
a transdermal patch for chronic pain; ULTRACET
(acetaminophen/tramadol hydrochloride), an analgesic, and
SPORANOX (itraconazole), an antifungal, were all negatively
impacted by generic competition in the U.S. market.
Substantially offsetting the impact of generic competition
was the strong performance of RISPERDAL (risperidone), an
antipsychotic medication; REMICADE (infliximab), a biologic
approved for the treatment of a number of Immune Mediated
Inflammatory Diseases (I.M.I.D.); TOPAMAX (topiramate), an
antiepileptic and a treatment for the prevention of migraine
headaches, and LEVAQUIN (levofloxacin), an anti-infective.

During the quarter, the Company announced that it had
received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval
for LEVAQUIN (levofloxacin) 750 mg tablets as a five-day
treatment for acute bacterial sinusitis and REMICADE
(infliximab) for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC),
making REMICADE the first and only biologic approved for
UC, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, the
Company submitted a supplemental Biologics License
Application to the FDA for REMICADE (infliximab) for the
treatment of psoriasis.

Worldwide Consumer segment sales of $2.2 billion for the
third quarter represented an increase over the prior year of
10.2% with operational growth of 8.5% and a positive impact
from currency of 1.7%. Domestic sales increased 5.1%, while
international sales increased 15.5% (12.1% from operations
and 3.4% from currency).

Strong growth in Consumer sales was achieved in the skin
care lines of NEUTROGENA, AVEENO and CLEAN & CLEAR, as
well as with McNeil Nutritional's SPLENDA (sucralose)
sweetener.

Johnson & Johnson is the world's most comprehensive and
broadly based manufacturer of health care products, as well
as a provider of related services, for the consumer,
pharmaceutical and medical devices and diagnostics markets.
The more than 200 Johnson & Johnson operating companies
employ approximately 115,000 men and women in 57 countries
and sell products throughout the world.

NOTE TO INVESTORS:
Johnson & Johnson will conduct a conference call with
financial analysts to discuss this news release today at
8:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time. A simultaneous
webcast of the call for interested investors and others may
be accessed by clicking on the webcast icon from the jnj.com
Homepage or by clicking on Calendar of Events in the
Investor Relations section of the Web site. A replay will be
available approximately two hours after the live webcast by
clicking on "Webcasts/Presentations" in the Investor
Relations section.

(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. Risks and uncertainties include general
industry conditions and competition; economic conditions,
such as interest rate and currency exchange rate
fluctuations; technological advances and patents attained by
competitors; challenges inherent in new product development,
including obtaining regulatory approvals; domestic and
foreign health care reforms and governmental laws and
regulations; and trends toward health care cost containment.
A further 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 January 2, 2005. Copies of this Form 10-K are
available online at 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.)