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Meningitis Outbreak Reaches 205 Cases in 14 States, 15 Dead

By Renee Nordstrand on October 16, 2012

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that the fungal meningitis outbreak linked to contaminated steroid injections manufactured by a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy has now reached 205 cases in 14 states. As of Oct. 15, the death toll is 15.

Altogether the contaminated painkilling steroid injections were shipped to 76 clinics nationwide. Four clinics in California — two in Northern California and two in Southern California — received shipments of the suspect steroids. The California Department of Public Health says that as many as 600 patients in California may have received potentially contaminated steroid injections, but so far, there haven’t been any reports of fungal meningitis cases linked to the outbreak in the state.

The two Southern California clinics that received shipments of contaminated steroid lots were the Encino Outpatient Surgery Center in Encino ((818) 986-1037) and Universal Pain Management in Palmdale ((661) 267-6876 x166). According to radio station KPCC, Universal Pain Management claims it has contacted all of its patients concerning the injections, but it is unclear if the Encino Outpatient Surgery Center has done the same.

The New England Compounding Center (NECC), which was responsible for manufacturing the allegedly tainted steroids, has been accused of violating licensing rules and selling drugs to clinics without the required prescriptions. Compounding pharmacies like the NECC, which mix drug ingredients for specific clients, are not overseen by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but are regulated state by state. Politicians and health officials are now calling into question the seemingly confusing and unfocused regulation practices concerning the compounding drug industry.

It is a drug manufacturer’s duty to assure that it’s products are safe and do not harm the public. If you’ve suffered an injury due to a contaminated drug, contacting an Encino steroid injection meningitis attorney at the Law Offices of Renée J. Nordstrand is a wise move. We have the experience and resources you’ll need to get the compensation you deserve. Call us at our Encino office at (818) 981-3530 to learn more about your legal options today.