Hune Compounding Pharmacy Bills Set to Become LawHune Compounding Pharmacy Bills Set to Become Law

6/13/14 - A bill sponsored by a Livingston County legislator in response to a deadly meningitis outbreak is on its way to becoming law. State Senator Joe Hune of Hamburg Township sponsored bills 704 and 904 which passed 110-0 in the House and then again unanimously in the Senate. They are now on their way to Governor Snyder to sign into law. The bills were a response to the meningitis outbreak that occurred after the New England Compounding Center in Massachusetts shipped tainted steroids to Michigan and several other states. 264 infections and 22 deaths occurred in the state, including several in Livingston County. The new laws add four new safeguards to protect against something similar happening. Part one states all pharmacies must have a Pharmacist in charge that is licensed and responsible for ensuring laws are followed. Part two strengthens accurate record keeping procedures. Part three requires all pharmacy owners to undergo a criminal background check, and part four mandates pharmacies and manufacturers be inspected every two years. Hune says while they can’t bring back the lives lost in the tragedy, they can put tougher measures in place for compounding pharmacies, which will protect Michigan residents in the future. (AV/JK)