In 2012, The New England Compounding Center in Framingham, N.H., distributed products containing tainted steroids that led to a nationwide meningitis outbreak, and now 14 people are charged in the criminal case, according to a New York Times report.
Here are seven key facts:
1. There were 64 people who died nationwide as a result of the contaminated injection. There were 750 people who fell ill.
2. Mold and bacteria were in the air and on workers' gloved fingertips at NECC, according to the indictment reported in the NY Times, and NECC failed to comply with "even basic health standards," which led to the contamination.
3. NECC co-founders Barry Cadden and Glenn Adam Chin were accused of racketeering, resulting in 25 patient deaths, or murder. The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act was the federal law used against the two co-founders. These were the most serious charges; other defendants were charged with crimes like "fraud" and "interstate sale of adulterated drugs."
4. Mr. Cadden and Mr. Chin pled "not guilty" to the second degree murder charges, according to a Boston WCVB news report.
5. NECC filed for bankruptcy after victims and victim families began filing lawsuits.
6. Mr. Cadden and Mr. Chin are in custody until the bail hearing. However, a judge on Thursday granted their release.
7. Congress has increased compounding pharmacy oversight since the incident.