Company to pay up to $7.8M over contaminated syringes

Federal prosecutors say a drug and medical device manufacturer has agreed to pay up to $7.8 million for selling contaminated syringes.

Authorities announced Wednesday that B. Braun will avoid criminal charges in exchange for implementing procedures to improve oversight of its suppliers. The company will pay $4.8 million in penalties and forfeited profits, plus up to $3 million in restitution.

The settlement comes in response to the sale of contaminated syringes that prosecutors say led to an outbreak of bacterial infections and at least five deaths. The B. Braun-branded syringes were manufactured by another firm.

B. Braun says it's committed to patient safety and has agreed to undertake compliance measures related to monitoring of third-party manufacturers.

The company is based in Melsungen, Germany. Its U.S. headquarters are in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.