State Lawmakers Call for License Revocation in Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

State Sen. Joe Hune, R-Hamburg Township, is encouraging the suspension of New England Compounding Center's (NECC) pharmacy license after the company distributed potentially contaminated steroids linked to a multi-state Fungal Meningitis outbreak.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) have identified 41 fungal meningitis cases in Michigan. Three of the cases have led to death, as is believed to have been the case for 67-year-old Lilian Cary of Howell Township.

Michigan Pain Specialists of Brighton was one of four Michigan facilities to receive the potentially contaminated steroid. The clinic confirmed last week that all three Michigan deaths were treated by them, but released a statement that all three patients were treated before the fungal contamination was identified, and before the CDC announced the product recall linked to the infections.

The Livingston County Press & Argus reported that health officials confirmed at least 13 fungal meningitis cases were in Livingston County.

“Three of the 41 cases in Michigan have resulted in death. There is absolutely no doubt that NECC’s pharmacy license should be suspended,” Hune said in a press release. “The safety of families across the 22nd Senate District and entire state of Michigan is a top priority. I strongly encourage NECC’s license be suspended immediately.”

Gov. Rick Snyder and Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette filed an administrative complaint and order of summary suspension against NECC, the company at the center of the fungal meningitis outbreak, on Oct. 12.

According to a statement released by Schuette, once the order of summary suspension has been signed by the Bureau of Health Professions director, NECC’s license will be immediately suspended and the company will be forced to cease operations in Michigan.

A multi-state investigation of meningitis among patients who received steroid injections is being conducted by the CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The cause of the outbreak may be a potentially contaminated product manufactured at NECC.

For more information on the recall, including a list of affected medications, visit www.neccrx.com.