A nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis has been linked to New England Compounding Center's doses of methylprednisolone acetate. The company is based in Framingham, Mass.(Photo: Jared Wickerham, Getty Images)
BOSTON -- A judge has told lawyers for victims of a deadly
national meningitis outbreak tied to a Massachusetts compounding
pharmacy that she will likely grant their request for an exhaustive
inspection and testing at the facility.
U.S. Magistrate Judge
Jennifer Boal said Thursday she expects to issue an order allowing
lawyers for people suing New England Compounding Center in Framingham
access for their inspection.
The plaintiffs allege they contracted
fungal meningitis from contaminated steroid injections made by NECC.
Health officials say 36 people have died and more than 500 others have
been sickened.
An
NECC lawyer asked the judge to wait to decide on an inspection until a
judicial panel rules on whether the 12 lawsuits in Massachusetts and
others around the country will be heard by a single court.
Associated Press