Medication Recalls Continue with Nation’s Concerns of Meningitis Outbreak

Metairie, LA – Today, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced further drug recalls related to the recent outbreak of meningitis related to tainted steroids that have been traced back to one particular manufacturer, New England Compounding Center, (NECC) in Massachusetts. The NECC apparently prepared steroids administered via epidural injection for management of pain that has been linked to cases of fungal meningitis. East Jefferson General Hospital (EJGH) did not purchase any of the injectable steroids linked to cases of fungal meningitis.

At this point in the FDA’s developing investigation, the sterility of other NECC injectable drugs, including ophthalmic drugs used in conjunction with eye surgery and cardioplegic solutions produced by NECC are of significant concern. At this time, however, no cases of infection have been reported in connection with any NECC-produced ophthalmic drug used in conjunction with eye surgery or any of the hundreds of other non-injectable drugs prepared by NECC. In the abundance of caution, however, the FDA has issued a recall of all drugs prepared by NECC.

EJGH reviewed its pharmacy supply, confirmed that it has never used the drugs currently associated with the meningitis outbreak, and has already removed all products manufactured by NECC from its inventory. The hospital remains in contact with the Louisiana Office of Public Health, Infectious Disease Epidemiology Unit, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control in monitoring this public health issue. At this time, there have been no reported cases in Louisiana.