Health Highlights: June 27, 2017

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Compounding Pharmacy Co-Owner Sentenced to Nine Years for Deadly Meningitis Outbreak

The co-owner of a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy linked to a 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak that killed 76 people and sickened more than 700 across the United States received a nine-year prison sentence on Monday.

A jury acquitted Barry Cadden of 25 second-degree murder charges under the federal racketeering law but found him guilty of fraud and conspiracy, the Associated Press reported.

Prosecutors had urged the judge to sentence Cadden to 35 years, while victims wanted him to be sent to prison for the rest of his life.

Cadden was the co-owner and president of the New England Compounding Center in Framingham. Prosecutors said Cadden ran the now-closed company in an “extraordinarily dangerous” way, skirting industry standards on cleanliness and sterility to boost production and profit, the AP reported.

“Make no mistake about it — what Barry Cadden did was evil, and he should be punished accordingly,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney George Varghese.

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Roundup May Have to Carry Cancer Warning in California

In California, the popular weed killer Roundup may eventually have to carry a warning that it’s known to cause cancer.

As of July 7, the product’s main ingredient, glyphosate, will be added to a state list of potentially cancerous chemicals. A year later, the listing could lead to a cancer warning label on the Roundup, according to state officials.

If that happens, California would be the first state to require the product to carry such a warning, the Associated Press reported.

Roundup maker Monsanto has filed an appeal after losing a court challenge against the labeling.


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