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Investigation Associated with Steroid Injections
May 24, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2013
Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111
TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health (DOH) is partnering with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state partners and other state health departments to monitor reports of adverse reactions associated with steroid injections. These reactions have been linked to injections of preservative free methylprednisolone acetate (80 mg/mL) in particular, which is compounded at Main Street Family Pharmacy, LLC., of Newbern, TN. At this time, there are no known cases of infection in Florida, but the Department will continue to work with Florida health care facilities in receipt of the products.
"Our Department is working with the facilities in receipt of the implicated products to notify all patients to ensure they are aware of any potential risk associated with the products," said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. "We will continue working with all stakeholders to ensure that Florida's residents and visitors are safe."
At this time, the list of Florida-specific facilities in receipt of the product includes: Family Health Care of Chipley, The B.A.C.K. Center of Melbourne and Dr. Parvesh Bansal, also of Melbourne. DOH has notified each of these facilities and is currently working with them to notify patients who may have been exposed.
Out of an abundance of caution, the FDA recommends all health care providers stop using any sterile products from Main Street Family Pharmacy, LLC., and isolate them until further guidance is provided.
The exact source of these adverse reactions is unknown at this time and DOH will continue working with state and federal partners throughout this ongoing investigation.
The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, & community efforts.
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