The namesake facility operated by Cantrell Drug Company, owned by Dr. James L. "Dell" McCarley Jr. (inset) and his wife Lynn.
Dell McCarley hopes the Food & Drug Administration comes soon.
McCarley, the CEO of Cantrell Drug Co. of Little Rock, which is in bankruptcy court for reorganization, signed a consent decree in April promising to stop making and selling drugs until it meets federal regulators’ requests for changes. The government had alleged in court filings that the compounding pharmacy distributed products that were “prepared, packed or held under insanitary conditions.” Cantrell Drug denied the allegations.
Well, McCarley told Whispers last week that Cantrell has met all of the FDA’s requirements and has been ready for an inspection since July 16.
But he can’t get the FDA to schedule an inspection date. He needs approval from the FDA to resume Cantrell Drug’s operation.
McCarley said he’s even contacted U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., for help.
And the help can’t come soon enough.
In May and June, Cantrell Drug had no sales. Between Feb. 1 and June 30, Cantrell Drug has reported a loss of about $2.1 million, according to the company’s monthly operating report on file in its bankruptcy case.
McCarley said he and his wife, who own the company, have spent more than $1 million of their own money in recent months to meet the company’s payroll.
“This company has been decimated … with not even a report of any patient harmed” by Cantell Drug’s products, McCarley said. “We’ve treated millions of patients without incident.”
A spokesperson for the FDA didn’t immediately return a call for comment Thursday.
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