Barry J. Cadden, Fungal Meningitis, Florida 2022

Barry J. Cadden, 14 Others Indicted in Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

A 131-count criminal indictment was unsealed today in Boston in connection with the 2012 nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak, the Justice Department announced.

Barry J. Cadden, owner and head pharmacist of New England Compounding Center (NECC), and NECC's supervisory pharmacist Glenn A. Chin were charged with 25 acts of second-degree murder in Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

The outbreak was caused by contaminated vials of preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) manufactured by NECC, located in Framingham, Massachusetts. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 751 patients in 20 states were diagnosed with a fungal infection after receiving injections of NECC's MPA. Of those 751 patients, the CDC reported that 64 patients in nine states died.

Twelve other individuals, all associated with NECC, including six other pharmacists, the director of operations, the national sales director, an unlicensed pharmacy technician, two of NECC's owners, and one other individual were charged with additional crimes including racketeering, mail fraud, conspiracy, contempt, structuring, and violations of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

'As alleged in the indictment, these employees knew they were producing their medication in an unsafe manner and in insanitary conditions, and authorized it to be shipped out anyway, with fatal results,' said Attorney General Eric Holder.

'With the indictment and these arrests, the Department of Justice is taking decisive action to hold these individuals accountable for their alleged participation in grievous wrongdoing. Actions like the ones alleged in this case display not only a reckless disregard for health and safety regulations, but also an extreme and appalling indifference to human life. American consumers have a right to know that their medications are safe to use, and this case proves that the Department of Justice will always stand resolute to ensure that right, to protect the American people, and to hold wrongdoers accountable to the fullest extent of the law.'

Defendant: Barry J. Cadden, Glenn A. Chin (other individuals associated with NECC)

Criminal Charges: 25 acts of second-degree murder, racketeering, mail fraud, conspiracy, contempt, structuring, and violations of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act

City and State: Boston, Massachusetts

Exact Date: Not specified

Sentence or Outcome: Not specified

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/14-indicted-connection-new-england-compounding-center-and-nationwide-fungal-meningitis