CPS Assists in Massachusetts Compounding Pharmacies Investigations

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Comprehensive Pharmacy Services (CPS) was chosen by the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy to assist in the inspections of all compounding pharmacies within the Commonwealth. The inspections were ordered by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, in the wake of the New England Compounding Center (NECC) meningitis outbreak. Governor Patrick made a pledge to his constituents to inspect all pharmacies compounding injectable medications by the end of the year.

“The team of consultants that CPS provided brought value and expertise to our inspections and was pivotal in the Commonwealth’s goals of ensuring safe practices in pharmacies supplying compounded medications”

The Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy contacted CPS to assist the inspectors in the Commonwealth-wide investigations. “We were able to provide the resources needed to establish a comprehensive checklist for the pharmacy inspections. Under the guidance of Sherry Umhoefer, Divisional Vice President of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs, we were able to adjust our internal metrics to the specific needs of the Commonwealth,” said Edward Choy, Pharm.D., Divisional Vice President for CPS. A team of 5+ CPS consultants were dispatched to Massachusetts within a week. The CPS team underwent additional voluntary training to prepare for the inspections.

A total of 35 pharmacies were inspected by four teams of inspectors and consultants. “The team of consultants that CPS provided brought value and expertise to our inspections and was pivotal in the Commonwealth’s goals of ensuring safe practices in pharmacies supplying compounded medications,” said Madeleine Biondolillo, MD Director, Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality.

About Comprehensive Pharmacy Services: CPS is the nation’s largest pharmacy services provider, partnering with more than 300 hospitals and health care facilities in 47 states (including D.C., Puerto Rico and the USVI) and employing over 1,700 pharmacy professionals. For more information, visit www.cpspharm.com.