Why does the news downplay the fact that this firm were distributing these drugs illegally? And health care providers were purchasing them illegally to save money?

Bosshog -- compounding pharmacy's are not illegal. And purchasing from them is not illegal either. What IS highly unusual about this circumstance is that this particular firm is preparing drugs in such great quantity. Usually they (compounding pharmacys) are producing drugs on a batch by batch basis for an individual's specific needs. They serve a purpose in providing drugs that are not cost effective for big Pharma to be willing to "mess" with. In the situations where they are preparing small batch medications for individuals, it is easier to maintain sertile conditions, and if something in their system fails, and a batch is contaminated -- it goes to one person, is not delived all over the country to many multiple individuals. It would be interesting for folks to actually learn how many medications become order "back logged" because manufacturers have closed their production lines for various and sundry reasons -- some good and some most would find very questionable at best. Maybe the media will bother to look at this situation to find out some of the basic why's here, more than likely we will just continue to see the eyecatching headlines -- the rest is to boring or difficult to understand??/

Sad that fifteen folks died. They're only Republican "collateral damage" because heaven forbid "Government Control" should force this "people employer" to clean up its act, let alone be held accountable!

gretacrow, you are mistaken. NECC had only a pharmacy licence. They did not have a distributers or manufacturers licence and thus were in violation of MN statutes Chapters 151.25 and 151.48. NECC could leagally only dispense medications for individuals with a valid prescription. They could not sell bulk pharmaceuticals to hospitals of clinics, nor could they sell them to a distributer for resale. Clinics which bought methylprednisolone from NECC without supplying a valid prescription should be seud for damages.

hobozeke, the legislation to regulate compounding pharmacies, which is what NECC was, was tabled by none other than Ted Kennedy. Don't blame Republicans for the lack of FDA over site. I personaly blame congress for limiting reimbursement for generic drug manufacturers. Low reimbursement means that they don't have the money to modernize facilities. The FDA then comes in and shuts the manufacturer down resulting in drug shortages. Drug shortages lead to compounding pharmacies stepping in and repackaging or manufacturing medications in short supply. Most are very good but some have problems like NCEE.

People tend not to read to the end of these comments. I know, I often do the same. But the fact remains that there is a huge issue here in this country with the Pharmaceutical companies and the so called regulatory agencies. Drugs come and drugs go, the average person does not appreciate until it actually affects them. The circumstance here with these injectable steroids has had horrendous consequences, so in response people can yell and vent all they please, but will not affect the possibility of these events happening. If people wanted/said they needed a 1 eyed dog that could leap a 3 story building in the dark, someone would be out there finding a way to provide (breed) such a product to satisfy. Sorry if you don't like.

I had two of the shots and I want to know more.

This is criminal negligence. The employees responsible with the LIVES of so many need to be prosecuted. Their caveliar behaviors resulted in people dying.

Google 'Bad Drugs' and you can see the list of drugs that kill people when used correctly, you can also find drugs that have been recalled due to production contamination that has killed or caused major medical problems. This steroid problem is bad and it affecting more people everyday. I received a phone call from the Minnesota Department of Health, yes I received injections in 6 disks in my upper neck from the batch of steroids that has the fungus, so far I'm OK. I'll be back at MAPS with the same doctor and will get 5 to 7 more injections in my disks next week.

Much has been said about how could any doctor/clinic/hospital buy from a company not licensed to sell in Minnesota and why would anyone take the word of any company that they are licensed in our state. There is a reason... Minnesota State Government does not have a list online of who is licensed to sell drugs in the state for clinic's & hospitals to check! A spokesperson from the MN. Dept of Health said the end of last week and it was reported in the Trib. The spokesperson also said 'This may be something we should look into doing'! The spokesperson never said clinic's & hospitals can call the Dept of Health to check if a company is licensed. Even the Mayo Clinic's & Hospitals in Rochester purchased drugs from the compounding company, not the steroids, but other drugs.