Main Street Family Pharmacy in Tennessee: FDA Alerts Health Care Providers of Adverse Reactions Associated with Steroid Injections

AUDIENCE: Patients, Health Professionals

ISSUE: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Tennessee Board of Pharmacy to investigate reports of seven adverse events associated with steroid injections compounded by Main Street Family Pharmacy, LLC (Main Street) of Newbern, Tenn. The reports of adverse events are all from patients who received preservative free methylprednisolone acetate (80 mg/mL) by injection. To date, the FDA has received seven reports. Clinical information about these patients is pending; at least one of these infections appears to be fungal in nature.

BACKGROUND: An investigation into the exact source of these adverse events is still ongoing, but these cases are associated with a potentially contaminated medication. As part of the ongoing investigation, the FDA will continue to work closely with the CDC and state authorities to thoroughly review the sterile practices at Main Street.

RECOMMENDATION: Out of an abundance of caution, the FDA recommends that health care providers not administer any products labeled as sterile from Main Street and quarantine them until further guidance is provided.

The FDA asks health care providers and consumers to report adverse events or quality problems experienced with the use of any Main Street products to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program:

• Complete and submit the report online at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm¹
• Download² and complete the form, then submit it via fax at 1-800-FDA-0178

[05/24/2013 - Press Release³ - FDA]