Mass. Moves to Close Company Tied to Meningitis Outbreak

Trying to revoke their license due to unclean conditions

Massachusetts state officials say they found unclean conditions including visible black specks of fungus in steroids made by a pharmacy linked to a deadly outbreak of meningitis.

Gov. Deval Patrick said Tuesday the state has moved to revoke the license of the New England Compounding Center and three pharmacists.

State officials say a preliminary investigation found drugs were sent out before tests results on their sterility could be returned and a leaking boiler was located near a company clean room. They also said the company operated as a drug manufacturer by producing drugs for broader use, rather than filling out specific prescriptions for specific doctors, which is all its license allowed.