Meningitis: Lawmakers question drug purchasing groups (seems like a stretch; more important to examine who was responsible for ascertaining quality of purchased drugs)

http://www.wbir.com/news/article/242741/2/-Meningitis-outbreak-Lawmakers-question-drug-purchasing-groups

Meningitis outbreak: Lawmakers question drug purchasing groups

In the letter, the House members question whether the contracting efforts of the group purchasing organizations led large generic drug manufacturers to stop producing certain products, thus forcing hospitals to rely on drug compounding firms such as New England Compounding.

HealthTrust, which is partially owned by the Nashville-based HCA hospital chain, referred requests for comment to the trade association representing hospital group purchasing organizations.

Desta Abraham, spokeswoman for The Healthcare Supply Chain Association, labeled the allegations "misguided and irresponsible" and said the outbreak was the result of "poor safety and quality conditions at NECC, period."

In fact, she added, group purchasing organizations have been taking "a variety of creative and innovative steps to reduce drug shortages."