Deadly fungal meningitis outbreak leads to MA co’s steroid drug recall

Houston drug recall attorneys report that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning doctors and hospitals not to use the products if a Framingham, Massachusetts specialty pharmaceutical company. The products of the New England Compounding Center in Framingham have been linked to a widespread outbreak of a rare form of fungal meningitis in several states. The fungal meningitis outbreak has so far caused illness in about three dozen people in six states and caused at least five deaths.

While this deadly fungal meningitis strain is said not to be contagious, it can take days or weeks for the symptoms of the disease to manifest in patients. So health officials believe many others might be affected by the outbreak, but have not yet become ill. A fungus found in leaf mold causes this type of fungal meningitis.

Our Houston drug recall attorneys note that the meningitis results in inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms to look for include dizziness, nausea, fever, and severe and worsening headaches. Sometimes slurred speech, difficulty urinating, and difficulty walking might result from the inflammation.

The common factor in all of these recent cases of the rare form of fungal meningitis is use of the steroid methylprednisolone acetate from the New England Compounding Company. And the fungal contamination has been found in a sealed vial of the steroid at the company. But until the cause of the contamination is isolated, the FDA is warning people not to use any of the specialty pharmacy company’s products.

So far three deaths from use of the steroid have been reported in Tennessee, with other deaths in Maryland and Virginia. Illnesses have been reported too in Florida, North Carolina, and Indiana. And reportedly, patents in Texas have come in contact with the steroid also. The steroid was administered in shots for back pain.

The rare form of fungal meningitis is treated by high-dose ant fungal medications that are generally administered intravenously. If you or a loved one have become ill after being treated with the steroid, seek medical treatment immediately and contact our experienced Houston drug recall attorneys at once to learn what you could do to hold the manufacturer of the defective product accountable for your or your loved one’s harm.

Act now. You could be eligible for a full financial recovery for the injury and loss you have suffered. But you need knowledgeable and skilled legal help to win your claim against a drug manufacturer. Our track record of more than 14 years of successful recoveries against negligent defendants could be your key to a winning claim in your time of distress. Call or email our Houston drug recall attorneys today to schedule your free case evaluation consultation.