FDA action alert re: Compounded medications pls. sign petition...

[bliss_eternal]

THE FACTS: U.S. Senators Kennedy, Burr and Roberts have drafted legislation (the so-called Safe Drug Compounding Act of 2007) that would severely restrict and possibly deny your access to critical compounded medications that you, your family and loved ones rely on. Compounded medications are made individually to meet the needs of each patient. They provide necessary medications in appropriate dosages for men and women who need bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), premature babies, children, hospital patients, the elderly, hospice patients, and others. If this legislation passes, federal regulators (not your healthcare practitioner) will decide what medication you can use.


For example, the proposed legislation would:

Allow the FDA to tell practitioners that they can only prescribe drug company products such as Premarin® or Prempro® for hormone replacement therapy;


Insert federal bureaucrats into the practitioner-patient relationship by giving them the authority to determine when and how a practitioner can prescribe compounded medications;


Severely restrict out-of-state distribution of compounded medications, including prescriptions for patients who live near borders, those in rural areas and vacationers;


Prohibit office use of compounded medications by practitioners who treat patients;


Broadly eliminate many critical sterile preparations compounded for use in hospitals, for pain management, for hospice care, to treat autistic children, and many other situations.


And much more. For more detailed information click on the following links:


IACP's Comments on Compounding Legislation


Pharmacy Profession Press Release


Pharmacy Trade Groups Joint Letter


Educational Information on Compounded Biologically Identical Hormones/Compounded Medications



THE FUTURE: This draft legislation would override current state regulation of pharmacies and give federal bureaucrats broad authority to limit compounded medications prescribed for patients such as BHRT, and would create onerous, new regulations for healthcare prescribers and pharmacists. Millions of Americans have critical medical needs that are unmet by one-size-fits-all drug company products. For them, compounded medications - prescribed by medical practitioners and prepared by licensed, trained pharmacists - are often their best and only treatment option. Do you want the federal government denying your access to necessary medication?

taken from:
(petition here, too) :hi:
http://www.womensinternational.com/sdca2007.html

Thank you!

Note to moderators--also crossposted in feminism forum. Depending on response, may also post (later in weekend) in GD.
Best! bliss :)

[robinlynne]

1. why? what is the reason? I have only seen kennedy err once in the legislation he supports.

(I'm asking what is the reason for the legislation?) it is not for the drug companies if kennedy is writing it.

[bliss_eternal]

2. Given that he recently...

...upheld a ban that could adversely affect women's lives, I'm no longer a fan of his--nor do I believe he has women's best interest at heart--but this is merely MY opinion. You of course, are entitled to your own. Just wanted to be clear on my stance of him so you are aware, I'm probably the wrong person to ask about his "views."

Compounded medications are based on natural ingredients. In the case of bioidentical hormones, it replicates what one's body makes naturally. From where I sit, it seems that the FDA, SCOTUS, etc. all are in the pockets of big pharma (the pharmaceutical industry). All the big boys are going to support each other, even if it means women die in the process.

No one makes a ton of money from bioidentical compounded medication--because it's natural. No one can "patent" what's natural and market it and get rich--but it does help people get better.

Big pharma made a great deal of money from the alternatives--Prempro and Premarin as an example. Prempro and Premarin are artificial hormones(made from horse urine, btw)...yes, horse urine.

As such, they could patent Prempro and Premarin(and did). They can make a great deal of money pushing artifical hormones to women that are going through perimenopause and menopause(and they did). This went on for many years. While it went on, there was a sharp increase in the incidences of cancer in women(i.e. breast, uterine, etc.). When women stopped using these pharmaceuticals (consequently when the word got out about bioidentical hormones--the thing this petition is attempting to safeguard), the numbers of women getting cancer dropped. It was all over the news several months ago. It was even posted about here on DU (if you're interested).

For example, here's a link to a post about a study done in the UK. There are others on DU, it's late and I'm too tired to find them now(sorry):

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=222x19297

I'm sure if you googled or used another search engine, perhaps you could find out more on HIS position since that seem to be important to you. I'm not at all sure why HIS stance matters more to you than your own rights, but it's certainly your choice. :)

Personally, I support what made me feel better and isn't going to give me cancer. As such, I'm not well versed in the opposing arguments of this--as I'm an advocate for biodentical hormone replacement therapy (bhrt) AND compounded medications. So, I can't tell you what makes him say "this sucks...give them the horse urine--who CARES if they get cancer?!" :eyes:

...but I CAN tell you what's great about BHRT. I can give you referrals to several doctors all over southern California that won't hesitate to tell you HRT is evil and it hurts women! :grr::mad:

There are many books on the benefits of using compounded bioidentical medications as opposed to pharmaceuticals.

But of course, if Kennedy's opinion means MORE to you than the numbers of women getting cancer dropping...:shrug:

....if that's the case read the information provided and if you feel this is something you'd like to get behind, then sign.
If not because Kennedy doesn't, then of course don't. Your choice. :)

[robinlynne]

5. I know about hormones. Was on them for several years. Am off and suffering.

Doctors stopped prescribing premarin a few years go. because of the horses. The hormone most used is called estradiol, or was when I used to take them 2 years back. The natural meds didn't work for me, but I'm so glad they do for you. (people have different chemistry, and react differently.) i don't know what compounded medicine is. and was asking what is being outlawed and why. natural isn't an answer. there are fantastic natural medications (all pharmaceuticals are imitating a natural medicine of some kind), and there are also dangers when people who are not doctors prescribe medicines, so I don't think there is a blanket answer one way or another. What I'm asking is why? what exactly is the issue here? Is it that the pharmas want to call herbs medicine? is it who prescribes the medicine, and whether or not they have studied? what is the issue? You tell us your conclusion, which I understand, but in order to gain support, you need to explain why. We know the big pharmas are extremely evil. no need to tell us that. but does the bill say? That is my question.

[bliss_eternal]

6. ?????

:shrug:

Obviously if I'm posting this position, I don't support the bill. I've taken the time to find it and read it, and know I am opposed to it.

If the bill is a concern for you--look for it and read it.

Sorry, but I don't understand people that seem more intent on debating than on taking the time to be informed on issues. Yet, seem to expect others to do the work for them, when they are capable of seeking and finding answers THEY WANT for themselves.

If you want to know more, the information is out there.

Sign or don't. Your choice.

[silverojo]

3. K&R

Come on, people, let's keep this kicked...kick it as hard as you want to kick Kennedy's ass for betraying us on this issue! :mad:

[global1]

4. I Was Really Shocked When I Heard Kennedy Was Supporting This....

This needs to be stopped. Millions upon millions of people that benefit from 'person specific' medications will be harmed by this. This is outrageous and another attempt by Big Pharma and the FDA to kill 'compounding pharmacies' and the benefits that they bring to people that can't tolerate 'patented medications'.

Please everyone - call your representatives in D.C. and get them to drop this.

If you are a patient that currently takes 'compounded medications' - write, call or e-mail Kennedy to back off of this.

This is really detrimental to the health care of Americans and shouldn't be tolerated.

[bliss_eternal]

7. Thank you...!

I appreciate that you are informed on this issue.

I also appreciate that you have taken the time to think this out for yourself and see the inherent danger of not having other options available to the public (than big pharmaceuticals).

:hi: Thanks again.