Compounding Pharmacy Implicated in Deaths

Excerpt from: Lawyers.com (click for full article)

 

A compounding pharmacy in Massachusetts has been linked to the outbreak of a rare form of fungal meningitis caused by contamination of steroid injections commonly used for back and neck pain.

Meningitis is a swelling of the protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord. Problems with the injections arose when the contaminated steroid was injected near the spine. Steroid injections in knees or hips are highly unlikely to cause meningitis.

The compounding pharmacy shipped 17,676 potentially tainted vials to 75 pain clinics in 23 states. The contents of 14,000 vials were injected into patients. Five hundred and fifty people became ill and 37 of them died. The company has ceased operations, surrendered its license and recalled all of its products.