What’s going on with KV Pharmaceutical?
There are big happenings at KV Pharmaceutical, the Brentwood-based drug company. On Tuesday, the company said it is expanding its nationwide voluntary recall to include its prescription prenatal vitamin and iron supplement products. They range from Chromagen iron supplement caplets to NutriNate chewable vitamins.
About a week ago, the company said it was recalling dozens of drugs, saying there may have been problems with the company’s manufacturing conditions when the drugs were made. On Monday, KV said it would recall most of the drugs it makes.
No specific reason was given, but the company said it is cooperating with an investigation by the Food and Drug Administration — including talks with the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigation — and it also had halted the production and shipping of all drugs it makes. The FDA today declined to comment on the investigation.
Now, the Post-Dispatch is getting unconfirmed reports of layoffs at KV. Missouri’s Department of Economic Development said it has not gotten any official word. But if you have information on this, we’d love to hear from you. Contact reporter Jeremiah McWilliams at jmcwilliams@post.dispatch.com.
Jeremiah McWilliams is a native Virginian who came to the Post-Dispatch in early 2007 to cover beer and other consumer products. He previously covered manufacturing for the Virginian-Pilot newspaper in Norfolk, Va. He is a graduate of Washington and Lee University. 
483. Consent decree. Hourly manufacturing workers laid off.
They have also expanded a recall of some generic drugs: http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/4681
The 300 laid off earlier this week just the tip of the iceberg, many more to come. All in part to one man’s greed, the beard himself(Marc Hermalin). Many lives are going to be impacted so he can sit at home and enjoy all the millions he made cheating people
Well more layoffs have started today, they are marching them out the door just as fast as they can
I was one of the ones marched out. Not a good situation. 80% of my department gone. There is going to be a lot of unemployed chemist in this area. Thanks Hermalin for being so greedy.
Heard they had layoffs at KV today, 90% of employees gone from corporate, sales force next.
Absolutely amazing how KV sank so fast!
I used to work for this company and still keep in touch with many of the people still employed. Today was a sad day….many of my friends/former colleagues lost their jobs today. I always knew that this company was unethical, but never realized the extent of it and how bad it would effect the many people that dedicated many hours to the company. I really hope that Marc Hermelin gets what is coming to him. Many talented people are now joining the growing unemployment lines and I pray that each of them will find employment elsewhere. The worse part of it is that it is still not over….more layoffs coming tomorrow and who knows when another round will come. Many dedicated years to the company and they get an envelope with 2 months severance pay…..which is probably equivalent to less than a 1/2 day of pay for Hermelin.
I hope that the SOB (Mark H.) is enjoying his tree house now. Maybe after all of the lawsuits that will be all that he is left with. One can only wish!!!
I was laid off today with about 20 others in my department, one being there 12 years. I hope Marc rots in hell with his millions and the millions he spent on landscaping/making this a “pretty” building with UGLY decor. This clown screwed up so many people’s lives but he can relax with his devil horns. He should have focused on manufacturing, not “form over function”. Thanks to all the nice people I met and a middle finger to those that weren’t so nice. Peace out.
Don’t direct all of your anger at Mr. H. Was he in the labs performing tests, not adequately addressing failing test results, not cleaning equipment properly, not documenting information properly, releasing over sized tablets or overlooking problems commonly known within departments. I blame our “management” team, many of whom are incompetent, and employees who wanted a check instead of performing their job properly and with integrity. Many of my friends were let go today and I could be gone tomorrow. Mr. H. has some of this on his hands, but with the drastic way the FDA responded, many hands are dirty. It is hurtful for those of us who have worked for the company for years, starting when it was in the red, see it prosper greatly and see the state it is in today. It is really hard seeing people walked out, one after the other, in tears. All of this was avoidable. Hopefully all of those responsible for this will be held accountable!