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A Walnut Creek pharmacy suspected of selling contaminated cortisone shots that caused three deaths must stop compounding medicine, an administrative law judge ordered Friday. 

Judge Ruth Astle ruled Doc’s Pharmacy can stay open and sell prescription medicine, but it can’t compound it or dispense any sterile medications. 

The state attorney general’s office had sought to close the pharmacy, according to Deputy Attorney General Lloyd Paris. The office alleged “gross negligence” by the pharmacy and its owner, Robert Horwitz.  

It said Horwitz did not supervise the technician who prepared the batch of shots and that she did not properly sterilize her hands. 

Up to 38 people received contaminated cortisone shots prepared at Doc’s Pharmacy. Of those, 13 were hospitalized following the injections. 

Five of those people contracted meningitis and three later died. 

Horwitz could not be reached for comment. 

The matter will be back in court Aug. 8.