FDA never inspected syringe plants, despite repeated complaints

Newsday reported that a North Carolina syringe plant linked to five deaths and hundreds of illnesses, went two years without inspection, despite repeated complaints and warnings of unsanitary products.  Hospital purchasing personnel reported in more than a dozen incidents that needles from the plant were dirty or filled with "colored particles", but no action was taken by the FDA. 

Federal investigators say the plant was "dingy" and products were shipped containing saline or heparin in a contaminated condition that caused patients to suffer illnesses such as spinal meningitis, and injuries including permanent brain damage.  They displayed pictures of an unsanitary factory that regularly bypassed internal checks, backdated reports and manipulated or fabricated test results.

The CEO has reportedly fled to India, his native country.