Natick Company To Pay Nearly $500K For Defective Chemotherapy IV Pumps

NATICK, MA — A Natick-based company that makes intravenous infusion pumps for medications including chemotherapy agreed to pay nearly $500,000 for distributing defective pumps, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts said.

According to officials, Zyno Medical knew as early as November 2015 that they were distributing some defective administration sets to clients. The defect had caused leaks during the infusion of medication, and company officials knew that other sets they were sending out had the potential to do the same, officials said.

However, Zyno didn't issue a recall until July 2016, roughly nine months from when they became aware of the problem.

On Dec. 23, the company agreed to pay $493,140 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act.

The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims that whistleblowers brought under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, officials said. This means that, under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery.

In connection with this settlement, the whistleblowers will receive twenty percent of the recovery, officials said.