Meningitis Outbreak Victims To Get Compensation From $200 Million Fund
A federal bankruptcy judge approved the compensation pool for victims and creditors impacted by tainted steroid shots produced at a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy. In other court news, a synthetic marijuana prosecution hangs in the balance as Iowa struggles to define Schedule I chemicals.
The Associated Press:
Judge Approves $200M Settlement In 2012 Meningitis Outbreak
Victims of a 2012 meningitis outbreak caused by a now-closed Massachusetts compounding pharmacy will have access to a $200 million compensation fund, following approval Tuesday by a federal bankruptcy judge. The new fund will be available to compensate creditors and victims who became ill or died as the result of receiving tainted steroid injections from the New England Compounding Center. It is part of a plan to liquidate the assets of the Framingham-based center approved by U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Henry Boroff. (Marcelo, 5/19)
The Des Moines Register:
Missed Deadline Puts Synthetic Drug Prosecution At Standstill
Spice, White Tiger, Mr. Nice Guy, Purple Diesel, K2. Synthetic marijuana goes by a dozen different names, with dozens of different ingredients — all of them man-made and some of them deadly. In Iowa and across the United States, lawmakers and law enforcement have struggled to pass bills that keep up with the constantly changing chemicals used in fake pot. Out of that struggle comes a Polk County court battle that will decide whether felony charges stick against a Des Moines woman accused of selling synthetic marijuana for a drug ring operating out of convenience stores. (Rodgers, 5/19)
