Faulkner received drugs from tainted company; none sick

JAMAICA PLAIN—Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital at 1153 Centre St. in Jamaica Plain received four medications from the New England Compounding Center (NECC) in Framingham, which is at the heart of the meningitis outbreak that has killed at least 30 people.

But according to Faulkner spokesperson David Goldberg, only one of those medications was injectable, which was used in dialysis catheters. Those people who have been infected by meningitis received an injectable steroid produced by NECC.

“Although they may have received an NECC product, as of today, there has been no direct link made between this NECC product and any type of infection,” said Goldberg.

Goldberg said that when a recall of NECC medications was issued on Oct. 6, all drugs from the company were immediately removed from Faulkner’s pharmacy and quarantined. He said letters were sent to any patient who received injectable medication from NECC since May 12 to “ensure they understand the situation and to address any questions or concerns they may have.”

“We take precautionary measures to ensure we are providing high-quality products to our patients,” said Goldberg. “We remain committed to the health and well-being of all our patients and will continue to monitor the investigation by the Food and Drug Administration.”

Local state Rep. Jeffrey Sánchez, who is the chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health, will be holding hearings on the state Department of Public Heath handling of the aforementioned meningitis outbreak and the state drug lab scandal. The first hearing was Nov. 14.

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