Company Linked to Meningitis Illness Denies Claims

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Credit Stephan Savoia

  A Massachusetts company has denied negligence in connection with a steroid linked to a fungal meningitis outbreak that has claimed 34 lives nationwide.

New England Compounding Pharmacy filed documents Monday in response to a federal lawsuit in Minnesota. Barbe Puro claims she suffered emotional distress after receiving a steroid that may have been contaminated.

The company admits it compounded and dispensed the steroid, but denies Puro's claims. Among other things, it says injuries have not been proven, and if there are injuries, they might have been caused by pre-existing or unrelated conditions.

The company also says the steroid was formulated, distributed and labeled in compliance with state and federal laws.

The company faces three other lawsuits in Minnesota.

State officials have confirmed 13 illnesses linked to the contaminated steroids.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press