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440 people across the country have become sick and 32 have died from contaminated steroid shots with Michigan and Indiana two of the hardest hit states in the meningitis outbreak
On Wednesday, Congress took the issue of the safety those who make the medicine.
St. Joseph, Michigan Congressman Fred Upton is the Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. That committee held a hearing on Wednesday.
The country's top medical examiner testified that new laws are needed to police large specialty pharmacies.
Congress is considering new restrictions on compounding pharmacies which currently operate in a legal gray area, between state and federal regulation.
The New England Compounding Center in Massachusetts made the bad steroid medicine. Wednesday, the owner refused to testify.
Barry Cadden is using his 5th amendment right not to answer questions.
During Congressman Upton's opening statement, he mentioned a Cass County woman who died from the meningitis, then went after the New England Compounding Center.
“I was stunned and angered to learn an inspection of the NECC by the FDA and Massachusetts board over 10 years ago identified contamination in the very same drug at issue in the current outbreak,” said Upton.
The Centers for Disease Control is reporting 128 infections in Michigan. That's more than any other state. 52 infections have been confirmed in Indiana.
All 4 Indiana deaths are from our area.