Lawmakers issue subpoena for pharmacy director

The subpoena comes after Barry Cadden, co-founder of New England Compounding Center, indicated through his lawyer that he would not voluntarily attend a congressional hearing scheduled for Nov. 14, the Energy and Commerce Committee said Tuesday.

A message sent to Cadden's lawyer seeking comment was not immediately returned.

More than 400 people have been sickened by contaminated steroid shots distributed by the compounding pharmacy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thirty deaths have been reported.

"Since Mr. Cadden has indicated he will not appear voluntarily, we are left with no choice but to issue a subpoena," said Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., who chairs the committee. "We urge Barry Cadden to put the public health first and answer the committee's questions about the deadly outbreak."

House and Senate lawmakers have been investigating the outbreak since it surfaced last month. They have scheduled separate hearings next week to examine how it occurred and how future incidents can be prevented.

A staffer for the Senate health committee said Cadden has not yet confirmed whether he will attend the Senate hearing, which is scheduled for Nov. 15.