Two New Drugs Cited in Meningitis Outbreak

TNHermit · #1 10/16/12, 06:02 AM

I smell a rat but would they admit it!

Quote:

(CNN) -- More issues have been reported with drugs from a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy linked to a deadly multistate outbreak of fungal meningitis, federal officials said Monday.

Fifteen people have died from the non-contagious meningitis associated with injections of a contaminated steroid produced by the New England Compounding Center.

As part of the ongoing investigation into the center, a patient with possible meningitis has been identified who received injection of another NECC product, triamcinolone acetonide, the Food and Drug Administration said.

And fungus infections from Aspergillis, one fungus linked to the meningitis outbreak, were reported in two transplant patients who received cardioplegic solution from NECC, the FDA said. Cardioplegic solution is used to induce paralysis of the heart during open-heart surgery.
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The other fungus linked to the meningitis outbreak is Exserohilum, which the CDC says may not be easily detectable. A patient with a negative fungal test is not in the clear, officials have said.

The NECC on October 6 announced a recall of all its products. The FDA said Monday it has not confirmed the three infections were caused by NECC products, but noted, "the sterility of any injectable drugs ... produced by NECC (is) of significant concern, and out of an abundance of caution, patients who received these products should be alerted to the potential risk of infection."

Monday's announcement comes as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the number of meningitis cases increased from 205 to 214 cases in 15 states.

Two of the cases are a "peripheral joint infection" that specifically affects a joint such as a knee, hip, shoulder or elbow, officials said.

The cases have been linked to injections of a contaminated steroid, methylprednisolone acetate, produced by the NECC. Some 14,000 people may have received the injections, the CDC estimated last week.

Laura Zone 5 · #2 10/16/12, 07:38 AM

Conspiracy Theory #1.

Could this be a test run of terrorism? Taint a supply of medicines?

Conspiracy Theory #2.

Could this be a way to 'eliminate' a particular age group / ethnic group / or ability -vs- disability group?

Conspiracy Theory #3

It is exactly what they say it is: A mistake?

Then what do we do with the 'correct' answer?

TNHermit · #3 10/16/12, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laura Zone 5

Conspiracy Theory #1.

Could this be a test run of terrorism? Taint a supply of medicines?

Conspiracy Theory #2.

Could this be a way to 'eliminate' a particular age group / ethnic group / or ability -vs- disability group?

Conspiracy Theory #3

It is exactly what they say it is: A mistake?

Then what do we do with the 'correct' answer?

When you can hit 14,000 or more people you can guess whos side I am on. Be interesting to see an employee list

Laura Zone 5 · #4 10/16/12, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNHermit

When you can hit 14,000 or more people you can guess whos side I am on. Be interesting to see an employee list

14,000 or more.....
Was this drug distributed all over the country? Or just in one general area?
Was this drug used by 'mainly' one type of patient?

I promise we will NEVER know how this got into the drug.

bluetogreens · #5 10/16/12, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laura Zone 5

14,000 or more.....
Was this drug distributed all over the country? Or just in one general area?
Was this drug used by 'mainly' one type of patient?

I promise we will NEVER know how this got into the drug.

Whereas we may never be 100% sure, I seem to recall this particular company being fined for multiple housekeeping/sterilization procedure failures in the past. The truth is the fungi/cotagions/infections are manifestations of the processes used to produce the "cures"/treatments. cross contamination in a laboratory is/was very common, and in todays age where companies are cutting corners every which way, it would not suprise me to hear that a lab employee performin tests on the various diseases did not decon properly before going into the processing/mixing rooms.

Old Vet · #6 10/16/12, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laura Zone 5

14,000 or more.....
Was this drug distributed all over the country? Or just in one general area?
Was this drug used by 'mainly' one type of patient?

I promise we will NEVER know how this got into the drug.

Yes it was used mostly for back pain. The company shipped it all over the country but the contaminated doses were to a geographic area.

Forerunner · #7 10/16/12, 11:49 AM

That reminds me.....I need to upgrade my vaccinations and get a flu shot.

myheaven · #8 10/16/12, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forerunner

That reminds me.....I need to upgrade my vaccinations and get a flu shot.

Lol!!!

myheaven · #9 10/16/12, 02:21 PM

What I have been wondering is! Do these guys make the stuff that's injected into your back for a spinal? I don't remember what it was they put in my back for my surgery back in July. It was a "normal" spinal block.

Sonshine · #10 10/16/12, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myheaven

What I have been wondering is! Do these guys make the stuff that's injected into your back for a spinal? I don't remember what it was they put in my back for my surgery back in July. It was a "normal" spinal block.

I thought it was the steroids they shoot in the spine for pain management, but can't remember where I heard that, maybe Fox news...... If you had your surgery in July you should be ok. I was trying to think of when the last time was I got an injection, but it's been several months and I'm still here, so guess I'm safe too.

Explorer · #11 10/16/12, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonshine

I thought it was the steroids they shoot in the spine for pain management, but can't remember where I heard that, maybe Fox news...... If you had your surgery in July you should be ok. I was trying to think of when the last time was I got an injection, but it's been several months and I'm still here, so guess I'm safe too.

That is correct. I have had several steroid injections in my back trying to avoid surgery. They do work for me.

Old Vet · #12 10/16/12, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonshine

I thought it was the steroids they shoot in the spine for pain management, but can't remember where I heard that, maybe Fox news...... If you had your surgery in July you should be ok. I was trying to think of when the last time was I got an injection, but it's been several months and I'm still here, so guess I'm safe too.

That is correct. I am now having steroid injections for pain that I am having.