Whether it is you or a loved one, when in a hospital things are expected to be clean and sterile, and you expect to be helped and healed. However, this is not always the case. In some cases is it due to medical negligence; other times further injury is the result of contaminated medical supplies and medicine developed by pharmaceutical companies.
In early 2011 Meds IV produced a total parenteral nutrition drug under poor sanitary conditions that eventually led to the deaths of at least nine patients and harmful bacterial infections in several others. On March 28, 2011 Meds IV recalled their total parenteral nutrition solution after reports of patients developing a bacterial infection. A criminal investigation ensued against David Lee Allen, the pharmacist-in-charge at Meds IV, and William Timothy Rogers, a licensed pharmacist and president of Meds IV. On January 28, 2016 the two pharmacists pled guilty to the criminal charges against them. They currently face two years of jail time, however lesser sentences have been recommended.
What is Total Parenteral Nutrition?
Total parenteral nutrition, or TPN, is an amino acid solution given to some hospital patients through a drip IV or catheter inserted into a patient’s vein. It is meant to replace the daily nutrition a body needs should a patient be unable to eat. The direct link to a patient’s bloodstream means that TPNs must be sterile. As such, when a pharmacy fails to provide sterile lab environments for the production of TPNs it is endangering the patient’s lives.
For a free legal consultation, call 877-562-0000
Contaminated TPNs
It is vital that TPNs be prepared in a clean environment to prevent contaminating them. Contamination can come from bacteria found in unsterile environments and may lead to bacterial infections in humans. Some contaminations can be seen with the human eye – cloudy liquid and particles in the fluid. It is the producer’s responsibility to reduce the risk of contagion.
The faulty TPNs from Meds IV contained a form of bacteria known as Serratia marcescens, that, when introduced to the bloodstream, can cause serious infections of the bloodstream that can sometimes become fatal due to the bacteria’s resistance to most antibiotics. The contamination of Meds IV was a result of unprofessionalism and carelessness. The mixtures were reportedly left unrefrigerated overnight in an unsterile room in a large pot on the floor.
Plea Agreement: Why?
David Lee Allen, 60, was responsible for the overseeing of all compounding at Meds IV, reviewing and approving TPN formulas, and filling individual prescriptions of patient-specific TPNs from Meds IV. William Timothy Rogers, 48, was in charge of overseeing all day-to-day operations at Meds IV. Both men have signed plea agreements to two misdemeanor violations under the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act on January 28, 2016. This plea bargain means that neither man will face a jury trial, and will most likely receive a reduced sentence. As it stands now, both face two years of jail time and revocation of their pharmaceutical licenses.
By pleading guilty Allen and Rogers admit to sending a sample of their TPN compound to an outside lab to test for contaminants on March 1, 2011, being told their solution tested positive for endotoxins on March 8, and continuing to ship the mixture to hospitals in the Birmingham area. On March 14, hospitals using the TPN alerted Meds IV to a problem with their TPN. Both admit that through their actions the TPNs produced in early 2011 were adulterated and contamininated.
Contact our personal injury lawyers today
Plea Agreement: Is It Fair?
Cory Watson cares about people. We believe that when a person enters a hospital they should be healed; if this is not the case it should not be because of faulty medicinal supplies contaminated by the negligence of people whose job is to produce safe and clean drugs for ailing patients. Our lawyers represented one of the nine families that lost a loved one to the carelessness of these men; and we are prepared to do so again.
From the perspective of our clients, sentences of two years or less for licensed professionals whose lack of concern for human life and disregard of the values of science and medicine, is unfair. The sentences are out of proportion to the harm they caused. Nine lives were lost.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Cory Watson: Your Lawyers for Life
We have made it our mission to fight for the rights of injury victims wherever and whenever they need us. If you or a loved one has been injured by someone else’s negligence, we want to fight for you. Please give us a call at 877-562-0000 or fill out our online form to arrange for your FREE and CONFIDENTIAL case evaluation. We look forward to hearing from you. We look forward to being your lawyers for life.
Call or text 877-562-0000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form