FDA and CDC Find NECC Methylprednisolone Acetate Tainted with Exserohilum Rostratum

Tests at CDC and FDA laboratories have found fungus, Exserohilum rostratum, in unopened vials of two lots of methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) compounded and distributed by New England Compounding Center (NECC).

“This ‘smoking gun’ evidence solidly links NECC methylprednisolone acetate to hundreds of cases of fungal meningitis,” said Attorney Fred Pritzker, who is representing over 40 patients. “I and my law firm’s Bad Bug Law Team have filed one lawsuit and are preparing others. We are pursuing compensation for patients from NECC and others.”

Fred is urging patients and their families to contact him for a free consultation regarding an NECC meningitis lawsuit as soon as possible. He anticipates that NECC will file for bankruptcy in the near future, and that there will be limited funds from NECC and its insurance company for patients harmed by NECC drugs (meningitis, stroke, epidural abcess and pain from spinal tap needed to test for meningitis) and the families of patients who died of fungal meningitis or stroke. Other companies, and possibly the State of Massachusetts, may also be liable, but even so, there may be a limited pool of funds available for compensation.

The predominant fungus identified in fungal meningitis patients and confirmed in the CDC laboratory continues to be Exserohilum rostratum; however, Aspergillus fumigatus has also cased NECC fungal meningitis. One of Fred’s clients has Aspergillus meningitis and has been hospitalized for weeks.  She was featured in an article in The Guardian.

The two lots of NECC methylprednisolone acetate (preservative free) that tested positive for Exserohilum rostratum are the following:

• MPA (PF) Lot #06292012@26, Beyond Use Date 12/26/2012 and
• MPA (PF) Lot #08102012@51, Beyond Use Date 2/6/201

These medications were used for other types of injections, including injections into the joint (knee, ankle, elbow, etc.) that caused septic arthritis and other complications.  NECC recalled 3 lots of MPA (PF), including the two above, on September 26, 2012.

Clinics That Received Recalled NECC Methylprednisolone Acetate