Meningitis outbreak pharmacy to compensate over $100m
The Massachusetts pharmacy that was the source of 2012's outbreak of fungal meningitis across the US has reached a settlement agreement to pay out over $100 million to compensate victims and their families.
The owners, operators and insurers of the bankrupt New England Compounding Center (NECC) will pay the amounts after court approval of the deal.
The pharmacy centre specialised in mixed drug products and on September 26th, 2012, recalled three lots of methylprednisolone acetate associated with the multistate outbreak of fungal meningitis and other infections.
The tainted epidural steroid injections led to 751 cases of fungal infection, including 64 deaths.
"The [plaintiffs' steering committee] has worked hard over the last several months to evaluate the liability of everyone involved in this tragedy and the tentative agreements are a big step forward in getting justice for victims.
"This is but one chapter in this saga; litigation will continue against medical clinics, doctors, hospitals and other companies who were hired by NECC that bear responsibility to those who were badly injured or who died horrible and painful deaths as a result of having the injection of the tainted product into their bodies."
Thomas Sobol, lead counsel for plaintiffs, appointed by Boston, Massachusetts court.
Related news:
Settlement reached over deadly US meningitis outbreak (Reuters).
Compounder strikes preliminary $100m deal over meningitis outbreak (Pharmalot)
Reference links:
Preliminary settlement agreements exceeding $100m in NECC deadly meningitis outbreak litigation announced by plaintiffs' steering committee (statement from court-appointed lawyer in the case).
Multi-state meningitis outbreak - current case count (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Contamination identified in additional medical products from New England Compounding Center (The Infectious Diseases Society of America)