A December, 2012, report indicated that a steroid produced by New England Compounding Center caused a widespread outbreak across America of meningitis due to a meningitis bacterium inside the steroid. Doctors were injecting the steroid into patients to relieve their chronic lower-back pain. It was soon discovered that many of these patients were contracting meningitis; 510 became ill, and 36 patients died from the illness.
Approximately 14,000 patients were given the contaminated steroid injections, and are still considered to be at risk for developing the illness.
In addition to the meningitis bacteria being found in the steroid, WBIR News also announced that further testing of the steroid showed positive results for fungal and other bacteria present in the steroid produced by the New England Compounding Center.
It is believed that the director of the Massachusetts pharmacy board director was made aware of the drugs’ meningitis contamination, but allowed the steroids to be shipped in bulk nationwide anyway. This was a direct violation of the Massachusetts state compounding license, which supposedly allows compounding pharmacies under the jurisdiction of NECC to compound prescriptions only for individual patients, and not in bulk. The federal government has oversight over pharmacies that produce prescription drugs in bulk.
This is just one example of a horrific drug injury case that can affect patients in Austin or anywhere in the United States. Medical professionals must realize the responsibility they have to conduct themselves in the most conscientious way.
If you or a loved one became ill, or died as a result of these contaminated steroid injections, or as a result of any other negligent act by a medical professional, contact the Austin drug injury lawyers at Shaw Cowart law firm today. Our team of attorneys will work with you to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve