More compounding pharmacies closed as new infections are reported

Dec 7 2012

Massachusetts orders the closing of three more pharmacies, while health officials in at least two states report additional infections from contaminated steroids, although the latest cases are not life-threatening.

The Boston Globe: State Orders Closing Of 3 More Drug Compounding Pharmacies
Three compounding pharmacies found to have problems in how they prepared or stored drugs have ­received cease-and-desist notices from the state Department of Public Health, as part of its ongoing surprise inspections of pharmacies that prepare sterile drugs used in injections. But none of their products has been recalled (Johnson, 12/6).

The Wall Street Journal: New Waves of Meningitis-Related Cases Emerge
Health officials in at least two states are reporting waves of new infections from contaminated steroids linked earlier this fall to a deadly outbreak of fungal meningitis, but say the latest cases aren't life-threatening. The new infections are mostly abscesses in the spines of patients who received steroids produced by a specialized Massachusetts pharmacy that were recalled this fall after they were found to be contaminated with fungal material, officials said. The infections haven't developed into fungal meningitis, but could if left untreated, they said (Martin, 12/6).