The number of cases of meningitis caused by an infected drug continues to rise: 205 people infected in the United States, 15 of whom have died, according to the latest data provided by the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In total, there are 14 American states in which cases of meningitis have occurred: Tennessee is particularly affected with 53 cases, followed by Michigan with 41 cases and Virginia with 34 cases. According to estimates by the Control Center there are 14,000 people who could potentially have been infected by this parasitic fungus [aspergillus] found in medicines, vials for epidural steroid injections, of the pharmaceutical company New England Compounding Center (NECC), which has recalled all its products from the market.
October 15, 2012 – camanianonews.com
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Ed.: The "Compounding Pharmacies" are small companies specialized in galenic products made to measure, on medical prescription, for certain patients (eg: patients allergic to certain components). Unlike pharmaceutical companies that produce drugs for the mass market, Compounding products are not subject to controls by the FDA before being marketed. The compounding industry in the United States has grown into a 3 billion euro business and includes 7,500 phamacies. However, some compounding companies have been set up specifically to circumvent federal laws and FDA controls. NECC is one of them.
NECC, Company At Center Of Meningitis Outbreak, Facing State Investigations, Prison Possibilities
Reuters
