New England Compounding Center meningitis outbreak, Healthcare disaster site in Framingham, Massachusetts, United States.
The New England Compounding Center was a pharmacy in Massachusetts that produced defective steroid injections. The contaminated doses caused serious fungal infections in hundreds of patients across multiple states.
In September 2012, federal investigators identified the facility as the source of contaminated steroid medications that infected nearly 800 patients and caused over 100 deaths. The scandal prompted a thorough review of inspection and safety procedures for pharmacies across the nation.
The outbreak transformed medical practices nationwide, leading to strict regulations for compounding pharmacies and enhanced patient safety protocols in pharmaceutical production.
Visitors should know that the site is not generally accessible as it is a former commercial building. Today the location mainly serves as a reminder of changes in pharmaceutical oversight and regulation.
The facility had destroyed laboratory records and deceived inspectors during earlier visits, showing how irresponsible practices were masked over time. These cover-up tactics later led to unprecedented strict requirements for transparency and record-keeping at pharmacies.
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