The following blog, http://peoplelikingpeople.blogspot.com/2011/03/meds-iv-advanced-specialty-pharmacy.html, investigated and concluded that Meds IV, is the same as Advanced Specialty Pharmacy, MedWorksRx and PalliRx. Meds IV closed its doors after 9 people died. To view the complaint filed in that wrongful death state court action, click here.
Here are additional articles relating to the Meds IV case:
://www.aboutlawsuits.com/tpn-warning-letter-25306/
Alabama Hospital Bacterial Infections Linked to Contaminated IV Bags
Published: March 21st, 2012
Federal drug regulators indicate that unsanitary conditions at a specialty pharmacy in Alabama led to a bacterial outbreak in several local hospitals, which may have contributed to the death of at least nine people.
The FDA sent a warning letter to Advanced Specialty Pharmacy, an Alabama pharmacy that was doing business as Meds IV last year when its Total Parentaral Nutrition IV bags were linked to a deadly bacterial outbreak. The letter indicates that the FDA believes that the recalled IV drugs were prepared, packed or held in unsanitary conditions and may have been “contaminated with filth.”
The fact that the drugs were contaminated and sold to the public means they were misbranded as safe, according to the FDA’s letter. Bacteria identical to that which killed and sickened patients was found on faucets inside the production facility.
In March 2011, Meds IV, an Alabama compounding pharmacy shut their doors and issued a recall for IV bags that contained a liquid nutrient known as Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN).
The recall was issued after an outbreak of infections involving Serratia marcescens bacteria were identified at six different Alabama hospitals where the IV bags were used. Several hospital infection lawsuits were filed as a result.
The Alabama hospitals known to have received the tainted IV bags include Baptist Princeton, Baptist Shelby, Baptist Prattville, Medical West, Cooper Green Mercy and Select Specialty Hospital in Birmingham.
The FDA acknowledges that the company has surrendered its pharmacy license as a result of the incident. If the company were ever attempt to reopen, it would have to tell the FDA at least 15 days ahead of time, explaining how it would prevent a similar outbreak.
Serratia marcescens is a waterborne bacteria that can cause fever, respiratory problems and shock. The Alabama Department of Public Health investigators found bacteria on a faucet and medical equipment at the Meds IV lab. The company has since decided to cease operations and officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have indicated that it is unlikely the business will reopen.
Tainted IV Lawsuits Filed Over Deaths At Alabama Hospital
Tainted IV Lawsuits Filed Over Deaths At Alabama Hospital
Published: April 6th, 2011
At least two wrongful death lawsuits have been filed against Meds IV, an Alabama compounding pharmacy, which is believed to have provided Alabama hospitals with contaminated intravenous nutritional supplements that have been linked to nine deaths and at least 19 illnesses.
The Meds IV lawsuits have been filed on behalf of Mary Ellen Kise and Lavonne Mottern, both of whom died after receiving the company’s total parenteral nutrition (TPN) intravenous supplement. A third product liability lawsuit was also filed on behalf of Todd Hammond, who was allegedly injured after being injected with TPN.
Last month, the company shut down in the wake of a TPN recall issued after an outbreak of Serratia marcescensinfections hit a number of Alabama hospitals.
Meds IV was a compounding pharmacy that made medications that are not premixed by drug companies. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials say that the pharmacy made the decision to close its doors during the course of the investigation into the outbreak and it is not likely that the business will re-open.
TPN is a liquid nutritional supplement given to patients who have gastrointestinal problems via IV or catheter. It is supposed to be shipped in a sterile container to hospitals and used within a short span of time. CDC officials and investigators from the Alabama health department say it is likely that the contamination occurred during the mixing process by Meds IV.
The Alabama hospitals that are known to have received tainted Meds IV TPN include Baptist Princeton, Baptist Shelby, Baptist Prattville, Medical West, Cooper Green Mercy and Select Specialty Hospital in Birmingham. Kise died at Baptist Prattville and Mottern died at Baptist Princeton. Hammond was in Select Specialty Hospital when he was diagnosed with an infection.
The outbreak is still under investigation by Alabama health officials, the CDC and the FDA; which seized the company’s records last week. A report on the investigation could be released later this week.
No comments:
Post a Comment