New England Compounding Center (NECC) has recently become a subject of increasing criticism. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compounding center has been linked to a devastating fungal meningitis outbreak that has sickened 91 patients, seven of which suffered from fatal complications. Authorities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have traced the outbreak back to an epidural steroid injection, otherwise known as Methylprednisolone Acetate, that is commonly used in the treatment of back pain. As a result of the contamination, NECC has initiated a comprehensive recall of all the products produced at their Framingham, Massachusetts facility.
The CDC and the FDA are currently coordinating a multi-state investigation of fungal meningitis among patients who received an epidural steroid injection from NECC. According to reports, the NECC facility sent approximately 17,676 potentially tainted steroid injections to 75 clinics in 23 different states.
Due to the number of epidural steroid injections in circulation and the long period of incubation exhibited by the fungus, regulatory officials are concerned that they will see an influx of adverse reports in the coming weeks. Therefore, if you received an epidural steroid injection and have become ill, you may be entitled to file a meningitis lawsuit in which you can gain compensation for your suffering.
According to NECC’s website, the compounding center has issued an immediate recall of the following lots of methylprednisolone acetate (PF) 80mg/ml:
- Methylprednisolone Acetate (PF) 80 mg/ml Injection, Lot #05212012@68, BUD 11/17/2012
- Methylprednisolone Acetate (PF) 80 mg/ml Injection, Lot #06292012@26, BUD 12/26/2012
- Methylprednisolone Acetate (PF) 80 mg/ml Injection, Lot #08102012@51, BUD 2/6/2013
According to the notice, “This action is being taken out of an abundance of caution due to the potential risk of contamination, and in cooperation with an investigation being conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy.”
On October 3, NECC announced a comprehensive recall of all products currently in circulation that were developed at and distributed from its facility in Framingham, Massachusetts. Products included in the subsequent recall include: acetaminophen suppositories, nipple ointments, morphine, vancomycin, and vitamin K.
According to a recent FDA Statement, on October 6, 2012, the New England Compounding Center (NECC), following an earlier recommendation by FDA that none of the firm’s compounded products be used, announced a voluntary recall of all products currently in circulation that were compounded at and distributed from its facility in Framingham, Massachusetts. In addition to the recall, NECC has voluntarily shut down its MA facility.
Do I Have a Meningitis Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in meningitis lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with meningitis after receiving an epidural steroid injection from NECC, you may be entitled to financial compensation. For a free case review, please click the link below or call toll free 24 hrs/day 1-800-773-0849.