9/19/13 - New legislation is being proposed to more closely regulate compounding pharmacies in Michigan following a deadly outbreak of meningitis a year ago that sickened and claimed the lives of some Livingston County residents. The measure was announced during a press conference in Lansing today by Michigan's Attorney General Bill Schuette, State Senator Joe Hune of Hamburg Township and Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Director Steve Arwood. They say oversight of Michigan pharmacies should be strengthened to prevent such tragedies from happening again. The proposal would require 470 pharmacies to undergo regular inspections and criminal background checks. They would also have to maintain accurate records and appoint a "pharmacist in charge" to ensure laws and regulations are followed. The infection of 264 Michigan residents, 17 who died, is blamed on contaminated steroids produced by a company in Massachusetts that were shipped to four Michigan clinics, including Michigan Pain Specialists in Brighton. Separately, a multi-county grand jury investigation of the outbreak has been launched at the request of Schuette, who says there is probable cause to believe crimes were committed that caused the tainted fungus-filled medicine to be injected into patients. Livingston County Circuit Court Judge David Reader is overseeing the grand jury which covers four counties; Livingston, Genesee, Macomb and Grand Traverse. (JM)
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