Massachusetts state officials have ordered the closing of three more compounding pharmacies, similar to the one blamed for a deadly meningitis outbreak, after finding problems during surprise inspections.
A story in the Boston Globe said the state Department of Public Health determined that no recalls are necessary for now.
Compounding pharmacies are specialty operations that manufacture medication custom-made to the specifications of individual physicians. One such pharmacy, the New England Compounding Center, produced a contaminated steroid medication that caused a nationwide outbreak of meningitis – an inflammation of the tissue surrounding the spinal cord and the brain.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the outbreak from the NECC medication has sickened 541 people and killed 36.
The Globe says more than a dozen of the state’s 25 compounding pharmacies that prepare sterile injectable drugs have been inspected since the outbreak was first reported in September.
Dr. Lauren Smith, interim commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, is quoted as saying: “The issues that were identified did not necessitate a recall; it was more around some of the production approaches. At this point, the rationale for interrupting or requiring the pharmacies to cease their operations is so the investigation can continue.”
Lopez McHugh is investigating cases related to this outbreak. If you or a loved one had an injection and were diagnosed with meningitis, you should consult with a Lopez McHugh lawyer for a free consultation or use our live chat.
See the story here:
https://www.boston.com/whitecoatnotes/2012/12/06/massachusetts-officials-find-problems-three-more-compounding-pharmacies/oMwdqoKzoFnpyGXl5ot0TK/story.html
