Pharmacy company linked to meningitis outbreak slashes workforce

By Tim McLaughlin

BOSTON, Oct 12 (Reuters) - The pharmacy company linked tothe deadly meningitis outbreak has cut more than half of itsworkforce, affecting about 40 employees, according to peoplefamiliar with the situation.

New England Compounding Center of Framingham, Massachusetts,confirmed on Friday it has cut jobs. The company did not provideany more details about the reduction.

"The events of the past two weeks are a great tragedy, andthe thoughts and prayers of all those connected to New EnglandCompounding Center continue to be with the individuals andfamilies affected," the company said in a statement. "As aresult of these events, on Thursday and Friday of this week NECCinformed employees of a workforce reduction at the company - anecessary step under the current circumstances."

NECC said its singular focus continues to be the nationalrecall of all of its products, "and working with the Centers forDisease Control, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, theMassachusetts Department of Public Health and Board ofRegistration in Pharmacy on their ongoing investigation."

(Reporting by Tim McLaughlin; Editing by Gary Hill)

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Keywords: USA HEALTH/NECC MENINGITIS JOBS