A U.S. house committee is investigating the recent fungal meningitis outbreak that killed 32 people and sickened more than 400 others.
Lawmakers had subpoenaed the owner of the New England Compounding Center which is accused of making contaminated steroid injections.
But, Barry Cadden refused to answer any questions from the panel, on the basis of his constitutional rights.
Lawmakers did hear from the widow of one of the victims, retired Kentucky Judge Eddie Lovelace. Joyce Lovelace is looking for answers.
She told the panel, "my family is bitter. We are angry. We are heartbroken. We are devastated. We are begging you to do something."
The meningitis outbreak is slowing down. Fewer new cases are being reported. About 14,000 people were thought to have been exposed.
The Massachusetts company had a well-documented history of problems. Nearly a decade ago, the FDA wanted to shut it down until it cleaned up its operations. Instead, the agency deferred to state regulators who allowed it to stay open.
Lawmakers had subpoenaed the owner of the New England Compounding Center which is accused of making contaminated steroid injections.
But, Barry Cadden refused to answer any questions from the panel, on the basis of his constitutional rights.
Lawmakers did hear from the widow of one of the victims, retired Kentucky Judge Eddie Lovelace. Joyce Lovelace is looking for answers.
She told the panel, "my family is bitter. We are angry. We are heartbroken. We are devastated. We are begging you to do something."
The meningitis outbreak is slowing down. Fewer new cases are being reported. About 14,000 people were thought to have been exposed.
The Massachusetts company had a well-documented history of problems. Nearly a decade ago, the FDA wanted to shut it down until it cleaned up its operations. Instead, the agency deferred to state regulators who allowed it to stay open.
Comments
The state regulators should serve time in prison for murder and sickening the others from this drug. They knew there was a problem and left it go, now they should have to pay. The law needs to start stepping down on things like this, instead of letting it go and covering it up under the rug.
Dorothy W.
November 15, 2012 at 8:42 pm
