photo by Barry Chin/Boston Globe
Less than two weeks ago, we told you about the meningitis outbreak from spinal steroid injections. At that time, 105 people had developed meningitis, and 9 had died. The numbers have been steadily rising.
Now, 247 people have become ill, and 19 have died.
According to an article in the News & Observer, the infections seem to have been caused by three types of fungus–most of them a form of black mold. The steroid suspected to be the cause of the illnesses was made by the New England Compounding Center of Framingham, MA.
Now, officials at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) say they are investigating other drugs made by the same company–another steroid and a solution used during heart surgery. Criminal investigators for the FDA visited the New England Compounding Center on Tuesday, and the government is preparing a case against the company.
According to an article in The New York Times, the FDA’s Criminal Investigation’s unit typically looks into suspected violations of federal laws meant to protect public health, including making and selling unapproved drugs, and illegally importing FDA-regulated products. The FDA isn’t saying exactly what they are looking for in their investigation, but for the victims of the contaminated steroid and their families, the investigation is coming way too late.
If you have been injured by a drug made by the New England Compounding Center or other company, and you would like to learn about your legal options, feel free to call HensonFuerst Attorneys at 1-800-4-LAWMED, or visit our website at www.lawmed.com/druginjury. If you have question, HensonFuerst is here to help.
RESOURCES
To read the full article in the N&O, click here: Meningitis outbreak deaths rise to 19
To read the full article in The New York Times, click here: Investigators visit company tied to meningitis cases