The lessons of the fungal meningitis outbreak at a popular Massachusetts compounding pharmacy have not been forgotten. With 541 cases in 19 states and Congressional hearings into the CDC and FDA's power regarding compounding pharmacies, it remains a high priority. You'd think that if any other compounding pharmacies in Massachusetts might heed the warnings and clean up their plants. If you thought so, you'd be wrong.
According to the news today, Massachusetts' Department of Public Health served cease and desist letters on 3 more compounding pharmacies they allege were either made with improper ingredients or stored incorrectly.
Compounding Pharmacies are Under Scrutiny
Following the fungal meningitis outbreak, where 36 people died, regulatory bodies are changing. The Massachusetts Pharmacy Board has added additional members from outside of the medical and pharmaceutical industry. Their stated reasons are to discourage conflicts of interest and to provide better oversight. One of their former board members was an executive to Ameridose, who owned a piece of the NECC, the compounding pharmacy at the heart of the fungal meningitis outbreak.
The FDA has taken the protection of the public health very seriously and has sought expanded powers to police pharmacies. In October, the FDA shut down over a thousand online pharmacies for violating existing pharmaceutical laws and guidelines. Perhaps compounding pharmacies will also be on the chopping block.
If You've Been Injured
If you've suffered an injury from a faulty product made by a compounding pharmacy, you could be entitled to compensation. Your injuries could be serious and lasting, even deadly. Call a skilled personal injury and product liability attorney to discuss your case today.
