Mass. House passes bill to increase regulations for compounding pharmacies

NEW YORK — State representatives in Massachusetts have unanimously passed a bill that would allow patients to check the safety records of compounding pharmacies there, according to published reports.

The Boston Globe reported that the state Senate would take up a bill that would require the publishing of the pharmacies' safety records in light of the nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak last year linked to the New England Compounding Center. The bill would also require pharmacists who prepare sterile drugs to take continuing education classes.

The outbreak, in which more than 700 people in 20 states became sick and more than 60 died, has resulted in calls for greater state and federal regulations. Last month, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the National Community Pharmacists Association and the Generic Pharmaceutical Association expressed support for the Drug Quality and Security Act, which would extend federal oversight over compounding pharmacies.