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14 Charged In Meningitis Outbreak

mlive.com

The owners of a compounding pharmacy in Massachusetts face federal murder charges for mishandling medical steroids that were distributed nationwide and caused a meningitis outbreak.

The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Rick Pluta tells us 64 people died – 23 from Michigan. 

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette says his office helped federal investigators trace the cause of the contamination. They found unsanitary conditions and efforts to cover up negligent and reckless handling of drugs.

Schuette says he’s glad federal charges were filed..

“This is a message of hope,” he says.  “This is a message of hope to victims across the state of Michigan that we are going to have justice.”

Schuette says a criminal investigation by his office is still underway. He won’t say who is being investigated or which Michigan laws may have been broken.

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
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