Ameridose In Mass. Extends Closure Until Feb.

WESTBOROUGH (AP) — A drug company with the same founders as a compounding pharmacy linked to a meningitis outbreak has agreed to remain closed until at least Feb. 22.

Ameridose shut down voluntarily Oct. 10 to allow a joint state and federal investigation into its conditions and sterility practices. The company has since agreed to extend its closure several times.

Ameridose was founded by the same brothers-in-law who started the New England Compounding Center. The NECC produced a tainted steroid linked to a fungal meningitis outbreak that's killed 39 people.

A federal report in November detailed 15 problems at Ameridose, including insufficient sterility testing and vermin where sterile products were packaged and stored.

An Ameridose spokesman said the company last month filed responses to the report. He said Ameridose remains committed to cooperating with authorities.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.