The number of cases in a fungal meningitis outbreak is mounting, as is the number of lawsuits. The outbreak has been linked to contaminated steroids manufactured by the New England Compounding Center (NECC) in Massachusetts, which is also facing the brunt of the lawsuits.
The NECC’s co-owner and chief pharmacist, Barry Cadden, was called to appear before the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, but declined to appear. So the committee issued him a subpoena.
"With more than 400 people infected and 30 deaths, it is critical that we hear directly from the head of the facility linked to the outbreak," Committee Chairman Fred Upton and Ranking Member Henry Waxman said in a statement.
Cadden will testify at a hearing on Nov. 14, along with Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Margaret Hamburg and, potentially, James Coffey, Director of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy. Coffey has been invited to testify but, according to Thomson Reuters, it is still unconfirmed whether he has agreed to attend.
Read more InsideCounsel coverage of disease-based lawsuits:
Plaintiff wins $7.2 million in popcorn lung suit
Chinese drywall maker to face U.S. lawsuits over allegedly faulty product
First lawsuit filed regarding salmonella outbreak
Teva to pay $250 million to end hepatitis C cases
Family sues AA and Sky Chefs, claim in-flight meal lead to relative’s death
