The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in association with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is currently investigating a multi-state meningitis outbreak among patients who have received an epidural steroid produced by New England Compounding Center (NECC). Otherwise known as methylprednisolone acetate, this epidural steroid injection has been linked to approximately 233 cases of meningitis throughout the United States. Of significant concern, however, are several meningitis cases that have been linked to other drugs manufactured by NECC, suggesting a possible contamination of their entire Massachusetts facility.
New England Compounding Center is a medical compound-only pharmacy located in Framingham, MA. Like similar compounding centers, NECC specializes in customizing medications for patients based on their particular needs. They make their own compounds, allowing practitioners to get specialized medications that are no longer manufactured or are on constant back order due to shortages. However, a lack of federal regulation has called into question the quality of products produced by NECC.
The compounding pharmacy has been linked to a current fungal meningitis outbreak that has sickened 233 people in 15 states. Unfortunately, 15 individuals suffered from fatal complications, several of which exhibited signs of stroke. Initial investigations linked the outbreak to an epidural steroid known as methylprednisolone acetate. However, ongoing investigations revealed two other drugs developed by NECC that may have contributed to the outbreak.
According to an FDA statement regarding the fungal meningitis outbreak, a patient with possible meningitis potentially associated with epidural injection of an additional NECC product, triamcinolone acetonide, has been identified through active surveillance and reported to FDA. Triamcinolone acetonide is a type of steroid injectable product made by NECC.
In addition, one transplant patient with Aspergillus fumigatus infection who was administered NECC cardioplegic solution during surgery has been reported. An investigation of this patient is ongoing; and there may be other explanations for their Aspergillus infection. Cardioplegic solution is used to induce cardiac muscle paralysis during open heart surgery to prevent injury to the heart.
While the FDA has yet to confirm these reports, the sterility of any injectable drugs, including ophthalmic drugs that are injectable or used in conjunction with eye surgery, and cardioplegic solutions produced by NECC are of significant concern, and out of an abundance of caution, patients who received these products should be alerted to the potential risk of infection. Those that have become sickened following the injection of NECC products, however, may be eligible to receive substantial compensation by filing a fungal meningitis lawsuit.
Do I Have a Fungal 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 fungal meningitis lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with fungal 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-(949) 557-5800.