At Southwark Crown Court on Friday, 29 April, ITH Pharma, based at Premier Park, NW10, were fined £1.2 million after previously pleading guilty to one count of failing to make a suitable and sufficient risk assessment and two counts of supplying a medicinal product not of the nature or quality specified in the prescription. The latter counts relate to 19 babies who received Total Parental Nutrition (TPN) in 2014. Detective Chief Inspector Richard Leonard, who led the investigation, said: “This has been a lengthy and complex investigation and our thoughts today remain with the families of all those affected. “We commend their bravery and dignity in coming to court and reliving their most difficult moments. We hope they can take some comfort in the fact the criminal proceedings have now concluded. “This outcome was only possible thanks to the tireless work of a dedicated team of officers, particularly DS Simon Dawes who must be commended for his efforts.” Following a referral by the Coroner for Inner South London in September 2014, the Met’s Specialist Crime Command began an investigation. The team worked closely with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Public Health England (PHE) and the CPS, engaging with experts in the field of aseptic microbiology. Thousands of documents were examined which ultimately led to ITH Pharma pleading guilty to offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Medicines Act.
