Politics & Government

UPDATED: CDC, FDA Confirm Meningitis Fungus Found at NECC During Raid

CDC and state health departments estimate that approximately 14,000 patients may have received injections from these tainted steroids.

UPDATED: 5:50 p.m. with statement from NECC

***

The Center For Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration have confirmed the presence of a fungus known as Exserohilum rostratum, in unopened medication vials of preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate from one of the three implicated lots from New England Compounding Center. The discovery came after a raid on the Framingham specialty pharmacy on Tuesday.

Find out what's happening in Framinghamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The laboratory confirmation further links steroid injections from these lots from New England Compounding Center to the multistate outbreak of fungal meningitis and joint infections. 

Testing on the other two implicated lots of methylprednisolone acetate and other NECC injectables continues, said the FDA in a press release. 

Find out what's happening in Framinghamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We are eager to review these findings as part of our continued cooperation with the CDC and FDA to identify the cause of this contamination," said the Framingham pharmacy in a written statement. "The CDC and FDA have previously confirmed infections linked to cases of fungal meningitis in patients who received injections of methylprednisolone acetate. NECC is earnestly focused on determining, along with these agencies, the cause of contamination in vials of this product – and to rapidly and professionally carry out a recall to remove all NECC products from circulation. We urge anyone with questions or concerns to dial FDA’s Drug Information Line at 855-543-DRUG (3784) and press * to get the most recent information regarding the recall and speak directly to a pharmacist.”

CDC and state health departments estimate that approximately 14,000 patients may have received injections with medication from three implicated lots of methylprednisolone and nearly 97 percent of these patients have been contacted for further follow-up.

The and on Columbus Day weekend recalled evey product it makes. For a list of all

As of Wednesday, 19 people have died and almost 250 people have developed fungal meningitis after being injected with a steroid linked to NECC.

This month, a half dozen lawsuits in six states have been filed against New England Compounding Center, which is located off Waverly Street.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here