Mass. shuts 11 pharmacies following inspections

Compounding pharmacies traditionally fill special orders placed by doctors for individual patients, turning out small numbers of customized formulas each week. They typically are overseen by state pharmacy boards.

In the last two decades some compounders, like the NECC, have grown into large businesses that ship thousands of doses of drugs to multiple states.

U.S. Rep. Edward Markey, a Democrat who has been conducting a congressional investigation into compounding pharmacies, said he plans to reintroduce a bill designed to step up federal oversight of the industry.

"Even the strongest state standards will do little to solve the problem if Congress does not also hold compounding pharmacies everywhere to high safety and health standards," he said in a statement.

Smith said the results of the inspections show the need for more resources to ensure oversight of the facilities.

Gov. Deval Patrick, a Democrat, has proposed $1 million in new state spending to help the Board of Pharmacy hire more than 30 new full-time workers including inspectors.

The board has recently issued regulations requiring sterile compounding pharmacies to report their volume and distribution for the first time.

Patrick also has filed legislation that would mandate a special license for sterile compounding, set new fines and create whistleblower protections.