State bars former workers of Framingham pharmacy linked to meningitis outbreak from other compounding jobs

By Kay Lazar, Globe Staff

Massachusetts regulators have ordered all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who worked at the Framingham company linked to the national fungal meningitis outbreak to immediately stop working in the drug- compounding industry, a sign that state officials are concerned that its front-line workers might not have followed proper procedures.

An Oct. 31 letter from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy obtained by the Globe states that the investigation of the outbreak had determined that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians employed by the New England Compounding Center may present an immediate or serious threat to the public health, safety, and welfare and should immediately cease.

The board previously voted to seek the permanent surrender of New England Compoundings pharmacy license, as well as permanent revocation of the licenses of the companys three primary pharmacists, including Barry Cadden, a co-owner, and his wife, Lisa Conigliaro Cadden.

New England Compounding closed early last month and recalled all of its products. A steroid produced at the company has been linked to 419 fungal meningitis cases and joint infections and 30 deaths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday.

A spokesman for the state health agency, which includes the pharmacy board, said the letter was sent to pharmacists and technicians working at New England Compounding when it closed, but declined to say how many employees received letters.

Todd Brown executive director of the Massachusetts Independent Pharmacists Association, a group that represents most compounders said he believes the boards actions are too sweeping.

While I understand the board has to take every precaution to ensure something like New England Compounding doesnt happen again, I am troubled by the potential for technicians who had no idea that [problems were] going on to be adversely impacted, Brown said.

Pharmacy technicians, who typically are the ones who mix the drugs in a compounding facility, may learn the craft on the job, Brown said. State rules require technicians to be at least 18 years old, have a high school or equivalent diploma, and have no drug-related felony convictions. The rules also require technicians to complete 500 hours of on-the-job training or a board-approved training course and pass a board- approved exam that may be given by their employer.

State officials have said that New England Compounding was illegally mass producing drugs, operating more like a manufacturing facility subject to licensing by the US Food and Drug Administration.

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State bars former workers of Framingham pharmacy linked to meningitis outbreak from other compounding jobs