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October 16. 2012 2:48PM
More cases of meningitis reported from tainted drug
Linked articles:
Meningitis investigation: Are other drugs involved?
Lawyer files suit on behalf of NH meningitis victim
Meningitis investigation: Are other drugs involved?
Lawyer files suit on behalf of NH meningitis victim
Two more cases of fungal meningitis have been reported in the state, bring the total in the state with the disease to five, while two of the patients diagnosed with the disease have experienced stroke-like symptoms, according to the head of the clinic where they received tainted medicine.
A sixth patient received the steroid to treat joint pain and has been reported to be suffering from a joint infection.
All six received injections of a tainted steroid provided by a Massachusetts provider, New England Compounding Center.
There have now been 223 cases, including 16 deaths, reported across the country.
Michael O'Connell, the CEO of PainClinic LLC, said one of the patients showing signs of stroke has been released from a hospital while the other is being treated.
“Stroke has been confirmed to the best of our knowledge,” O'Connell said.
While he heads the PainClinic, a multi-office pain management practice, O'Connell is not licensed to practice medicine in New Hampshire.
In an agreement with the state Board of Medicine late last year, O'Connell voluntarily surrendered his license to end a disciplinary investigation into allegations of romantic relationships with former patients.
The agreement states that O'Connell made no admission of wrongdoing.
O'Connell referred questions about specific allegations to his attorneys.
State law does not require the owner of a medical practice to be a licensed physician.
O'Connell said he does not treat patients and that everyone who visits the PainCenter clinics is seen by either a physician's assistant or a staff physician with a valid New Hampshire license.
The Food and Drug Administration said this week that other products made by the dispensing pharmacy, New England Compounding Center of Framingham, Mass., are now being studied to determine whether there are issues with additional NECC preparations.
“We really can't assure the sterility of these products,” said Janet Woodcock of the FDA.
The state's public health director said in a statement that information about the outbreak changes daily.
“As new information becomes available, our team is working to adapt our strategies accordingly,” said Dr. Jose Montero, state director of public health.
The state Department of Health and Human Services has established a hotline for people with questions. The number is 271-6617.
Bill Smith may be reached at wsmith@unionleader.com.
A sixth patient received the steroid to treat joint pain and has been reported to be suffering from a joint infection.
All six received injections of a tainted steroid provided by a Massachusetts provider, New England Compounding Center.
There have now been 223 cases, including 16 deaths, reported across the country.
Michael O'Connell, the CEO of PainClinic LLC, said one of the patients showing signs of stroke has been released from a hospital while the other is being treated.
“Stroke has been confirmed to the best of our knowledge,” O'Connell said.
While he heads the PainClinic, a multi-office pain management practice, O'Connell is not licensed to practice medicine in New Hampshire.
In an agreement with the state Board of Medicine late last year, O'Connell voluntarily surrendered his license to end a disciplinary investigation into allegations of romantic relationships with former patients.
The agreement states that O'Connell made no admission of wrongdoing.
O'Connell referred questions about specific allegations to his attorneys.
State law does not require the owner of a medical practice to be a licensed physician.
O'Connell said he does not treat patients and that everyone who visits the PainCenter clinics is seen by either a physician's assistant or a staff physician with a valid New Hampshire license.
The Food and Drug Administration said this week that other products made by the dispensing pharmacy, New England Compounding Center of Framingham, Mass., are now being studied to determine whether there are issues with additional NECC preparations.
“We really can't assure the sterility of these products,” said Janet Woodcock of the FDA.
The state's public health director said in a statement that information about the outbreak changes daily.
“As new information becomes available, our team is working to adapt our strategies accordingly,” said Dr. Jose Montero, state director of public health.
The state Department of Health and Human Services has established a hotline for people with questions. The number is 271-6617.
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Bill Smith may be reached at wsmith@unionleader.com.
