Massachusetts Pharmacist Sentenced for Role in 2012 Meningitis Outbreak

Sentenced to 7 1/2 to 15 Years Prison

A Massachusetts pharmacist, Glenn Chin, was sentenced to 7 1/2 to 15 years in prison for his role in a 2012 national meningitis outbreak that killed dozens of people in Michigan.

Court Hearing and Sentence

Neither Chin nor the relatives of the Michigan victims attended the sentencing hearing in Livingston County Circuit Court in Howell, northwest of Detroit. Defense attorney Bill Livingston spoke on Chin’s behalf, stating, “He’s always been open with his attorneys about his deep and genuine grief that he feels for the people affected by this.”

Prior Charges and Sentence

Chin, 56, pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter in the 11 Michigan deaths. He is already serving a 10 1/2-year federal sentence for racketeering, fraud, and other crimes connected to the outbreak, following a 2017 trial in Boston. The Michigan sentence will be served concurrently in federal prison, taking into account over 6 1/2 years of credit for time already served.

Background of the Outbreak

Chin supervised production at New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Massachusetts, which shipped steroids for pain relief to clinics across the country. Investigators found the lab was rife with mold and insects. Over 700 people in 20 states were sickened with fungal meningitis or other debilitating illnesses, and dozens died, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Prosecution’s Case

Michigan was the only state to prosecute Chin and his boss, Barry Cadden, for deaths related to the scandal. Chin supervised production for Cadden, whom he referred to as the “big boss.” Prosecutors alleged that Cadden “commanded Chin to send out untested medications to fulfill the large increase of orders without consideration of the safety of the patients they pledged to protect as pharmacists.”

Judge’s Verdict

Judge Matthew J. McGivney found that evidence showed Chin caused or encouraged employees to fail to properly test drugs for sterility, failed to properly sterilize drugs, and failed to properly clean and disinfect clean rooms. The judge stated, “There could be no doubt that you knew the risks that you were exposing these innocent patients to. You promoted production and sales, you prioritized money, sacrificing cleaning and testing protocols that kept the medication safe for patients. Your focus on increased sales, increased margins cost people their lives.”

Conclusion

Glenn Chin’s sentencing marks a significant milestone in the case, bringing some closure to the victims and their families. However, the impact of the 2012 meningitis outbreak will be felt for a long time, resulting in the loss of many lives and a significant number of people suffering from long-term health consequences.

FAQs

Q: Who was Glenn Chin?

A: Glenn Chin was a Massachusetts pharmacist who supervised production at New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Massachusetts.

Q: What was his role in the meningitis outbreak?

A: Chin was found to have failed to prioritize patient safety, prioritizing profit over protocols, which led to the introduction of contaminated medications into the market.

Q: What was his sentence?

A: Chin was sentenced to 7 1/2 to 15 years in prison, to be served concurrently with his 10 1/2-year federal sentence.

Q: Who was also charged in connection with the outbreak?

A: Barry Cadden, Chin’s boss, was also charged and sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the outbreak.