Exhibit 99.15

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Johnson & Johnson Reports 2006 First-Quarter EPS Rose 17.0%
on Sales Increase of 1.2%

New Brunswick, NJ (April 18, 2006) - Johnson & Johnson today
announced sales for the first quarter of $13.0 billion, an
increase of 1.2% as compared to the first quarter of 2005.
Operational growth was 3.5% with a negative currency impact
of 2.3%. Domestic sales were up 1.6%, while international
sales increased .8%, reflecting operational growth of 6.1%
and a negative currency impact of 5.3%.

Net earnings and diluted earnings per share for the first
quarter of 2006 were $3.3 billion and $1.10. The first
quarter included an after-tax gain of $368 million
associated with the termination of the Guidant acquisition
agreement. The first quarter also included after-tax in-
process research and development charges of $29 million
associated with the acquisitions of Hand Innovations LLC and
Future Medical Systems S.A. Excluding the impact of these
items, net earnings for the quarter were $3.0 billion and
diluted earnings per share were $.99, representing increases
of 4.5% and 5.3%, respectively, as compared to the same
period in 2005.*

"Our first quarter results were as anticipated and we look
forward to improving performance throughout the balance of
the year," said William C. Weldon, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer. "We are continuing to make significant
investments in research and development in order to bring
important new products to market, positioning us well for
long- term growth."

Worldwide Medical Devices and Diagnostics sales of $5.0
billion for the first quarter represented a 4.5% increase
over the prior year with operational growth of 7.9% and a
negative impact from currency of 3.4%. Domestic sales
increased 6.7%, while international sales increased 9.0%
from operations, partially offset by negative currency of
6.7% for reported growth of 2.3%.

Cordis' circulatory disease management products were a key
contributor to the segment results with the primary driver
being the CYPHER Sirolimus-eluting Coronary Stent. The
CYPHER Stent has been chosen by cardiologists worldwide to
treat more than two million patients with coronary artery
disease and is the world's leading drug-eluting stent.

Also contributing to the performance of the segment is the
continued growth of DePuy's orthopaedic joint
reconstruction, sports medicine and trauma businesses;
Vistakon's disposable contact lenses; Ethicon Endo-Surgery's
minimally invasive products; and Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics'
professional diagnostic products.

During the quarter, the Company announced the completion of
the acquisition of Animas Corporation, a leading
manufacturer of insulin infusion pumps and related products.

Worldwide Pharmaceutical sales of $5.6 billion for the first
quarter represented a 2.2% decrease as compared to the prior
year with an operational decline of .4% and a negative
impact from currency of 1.8%. Domestic sales decreased 2.2%,
while international sales increased 2.9% from operations,
which was more than offset by the negative effects of
currency of 5.3% for a reported decrease of 2.4%.

Sales results for DURAGESIC, a transdermal patch for chronic
pain; ULTRACET, an analgesic; and SPORANOX, an antifungal,
were all negatively impacted by generic competition.

Offsetting the impact of generic competition was the strong
performance of RISPERDAL, an antipsychotic medication;
REMICADE, a biologic approved for the treatment of a number
of Immune Mediated Inflammatory Diseases; TOPAMAX, an
antiepileptic and a treatment for the prevention of migraine
headaches; and CONCERTA, a treatment for attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder.

During the quarter, the European Commission granted
marketing authorization in the 25 member states of the
European Union for the use of IONSYS (fentanyl
hydrochloride). IONSYS is the first needle-free,
iontophoretic, patient-controlled transdermal system to
receive marketing authorization. It is indicated for the
management of acute moderate to severe post-operative pain,
for use by adults, in a hospital setting.

Worldwide Consumer segment sales of $2.4 billion for the
first quarter represented a 3.3% increase over the prior
year with operational growth of 4.5% and a negative impact
from currency of 1.2%. Domestic sales increased 3.2%, while
international sales increased 5.7% from operations,
partially offset by negative currency of 2.4% for reported
growth of 3.3%.

Sales growth reflects strong performance by the skin care
lines of AVEENO, NEUTROGENA and JOHNSON'S adult skin
products. Wound care products and baby and child care
products also contributed to the results in the Consumer
segment.

During the quarter, the Company announced that it had
entered into an agreement to acquire Groupe Vendome, a
privately held French marketer of adult and baby skin care
products.

On March 8, 2006, the Company announced that its Board of
Directors approved a stock repurchase program, authorizing
the Company to buy back up to $5 billion of the
corporation's common stock.

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 230 Johnson & Johnson operating companies
employ approximately 116,000 men and women in 57 countries
and sell products throughout the world.

* Net earnings and diluted earnings per share excluding the
gain associated with the termination of the Guidant
acquisition agreement and in-process research and
development charges are non-GAAP financial measures and
should not be considered replacements for GAAP results. For
a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the
most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, see the
accompanying tables to this release.

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 of the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended January 1, 2006. Copies of this Form 10-K, as well as
subsequent filings, 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.)