BOSTON — The chief pharmacist at the company linked to the deadly meningitis outbreak has received a subpoena to appear before a congressional committee after he declined to appear voluntarily.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee issued the subpoena to Barry Cadden, co-owner of the New England Compounding Center and its chief pharmacist before the pharmacy surrendered its license after the outbreak.
“With more than 400 people infected and 30 deaths, it is critical that we hear directly from the head of the facility linked to the outbreak,” said Committee Chairman Fred Upton and Ranking Member Henry Waxman in a statement.
“Since Mr. Cadden has indicated he will not appear voluntarily, we are left with no choice but to issue a subpoena.”
James Coffey, Director of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy, has also been invited to testify. A board spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a question as to whether Coffey had agreed to attend.