The fungal meningitis outbreak isn't that far behind us.
Two years ago, a Massachusetts compounding facility sold tainted steroid medications around the country. What happened was disastrous: 22 Michigan residents lost their lives to meningitis and more than 260 were infected.
New legislation could prevent that from happening again. A bill sponsored by Sen. Joe Hune, R-Hamburg, may be voted on this week. It calls for more background checks on compounding pharmacies and more facility inspections.
But perhaps the biggest change is that out-of-state facilities doing business in Michigan must be licensed in the state.
"I am absolutely certain that this would have been extremely helpful to prevent what happened at the New England Compounding Center," said Hune.
The Michigan Pharmacists Association supports the bill. Amanda Lick is their manager of advocacy, governmental and regulatory affairs.
"The senators, the representative, the state agencies and Michigan Pharmacists Association have worked very hard to make sure that that tragedy won't happen again," said Lick.
Last month, the New England Compounding Center responsible for the fungal meningitis outbreak reached a $100 million settlement to help compensate victims.
– Reem Nasr, Michigan Radio Newsroom
