Manufacturers of medications in the United States must adhere to strict hygiene and safety regulations when creating their products. Otherwise, they could face both criminal and civil penalties.
The owners of one Tennessee compounding pharmacy recently pleaded guilty to charges of making and distributing a contaminated drug last year that resulted in a fungal meningitis outbreak. The medication was responsible for sickening as many as 26 patients who received the tainted steroid injections from the pharmacy.
According to reports from The Tennessean, the owner of Main Street Family Pharmacy in Newbern, Tennessee, and his wife pleaded guilty in a Memphis courtroom to violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which states that companies cannot put unsafe products on the market. The convictions came after U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulators inspected the pharmacy’s compounding facility in May and June 2013. The pharmacy failed to properly sanitize and disinfect the rooms and equipment used to compound drugs. Furthermore, the pharmacy failed to properly test their products for safety.
As a result, both the owner and his wife were sentenced to 12 months probation and as much as $50,000 in fines. The pharmacy also isn’t allowed to operate until it meets state and federal health standards.
At Ponce Law, we recognize the importance of creating accountability among drug manufacturers. That’s why our Nashville personal injury lawyers encourage you to speak with an attorney if you or a loved one have been harmed by a drug. Contact our 24/7 legal team today—just dial 615-244-4325.