Health Advisory: Wright & McGurk Advises Consumers they May be at Risk for Fungal Menangitis

PRLog (Press Release) - Oct. 8, 2012 - Wright & McGurk is advising consumers that they may be at risk for fungal meningitis due to tainted steroid products.  The New England Compounding Pharmacy, Inc. d/b/a New England Compounding Center (NECC) has voluntarily issued a recall of all of its products following a fungal meningitis outbreak.  Consumers who have received products from the NECC are encouraged to seek medical help immediately to preserve their health.  While at this time only steroids have been linked to the outbreak, the NECC is asking to retain and secure all products distributed from their Farmington, Massachusetts facility as a precautionary measure.

As of Monday, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported an outbreak of fungal meningitis consisting of 91 cases and 7 deaths in 9 states.  According to the CDC, samples from 9 patients have revealed two kinds of fungus, including Aspergillus and Exserohilum.  Patients seeking relief from back and neck pain were given what is now being classified as tainted steroids, Methylprednisolone Acetate.  Between July and September, many of the patients who received these injections developed the rare fungal meningitis between one and four weeks later.  

Fungal meningitis is relatively rare and not contagious.  This bacterial inflammation of the protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges, can be life threatening.  Symptoms can include headaches, neck stiffness, fever, altered consciousness, low blood pressure, vomiting, and an inability to tolerate light or loud noises.  These symptoms can further progress to excessive blood clotting, gangrene of the limbs, fast heart rate, and insufficient blood supply to organs. Because of the proximity to the brain, the inflammation can rapidly turn lethal.  Seeking medical attention is extremely important in order to preserve one’s health.  

Last Monday, federal investigators began inspecting NECC’s plant and found foreign particles in unopened vials.  Further tests revealed these foreign particles were fungus.  The NECC has voluntarily surrendered its pharmacy license until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) completes its investigation.

According to federal health inspectors, these tainted steroids were distributed to patients across the United States, including Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Tennessee, and South Carolina.  76 medical facilities in 23 states report receiving these tainted steroids. The CDC maintains a list of these facilities on its website here www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/meningitis-facilities-map.html

Consumers who have contracted fungal meningitis as the result of these tainted steroids may be entitled to compensation.  Affected consumers are encouraged to call Wright & McGurk for a free and confidential consultation today.


Extensive product liability experience gives Andrew L. Wright the expertise necessary to handle your tainted drug case.  With over 20 years of experience as a trial lawyer, Andrew L. Wright is used to staring down drug manufacturers and achieving results for his clients.

Wright & McGurk Law has over 30 years of experience fighting zealously on behalf of injured people and family members who have lost a loved one due to negligence.  We are experts at fighting to achieve the fairness and justice our clients deserve.  The lawyers at Wright & McGurk Law will not treat you like just another client.  We are passionate about our role as your advocate and will treat you with the respect and compassion that you deserve. At Wright &McGurk, we understand that you may be in pain and we want to help get you the compensation you deserve.  Cases are accepted nationwide; call us today for a free confidential consultation at (800) 471-0346. http://wrightmcgurk.com/