With two weeks remaining in the Congressional August recess, it's our understanding that House and Senate staff continues to informally negotiate on compounding legislation. NCPA continues to have concerns with the most recent version of the Senate proposal (S. 959) and feels the House discussion draft circulated by Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) better addresses the underlying causes of the tragic Meningitis outbreak caused by New England Compounding Center (NECC) while preserving traditional compounding.
Please contact Senators Mikulski at (202) 224-4654 and Cardin at (202) 224-4524 and Representative Van Hollen at (202) 225-5341 (or click here to send them an email) and urge them to support the House of Representatives approach in regards to compounding.
Tell your elected officials to support the House approach because it:
Maintains state board of pharmacy oversight of traditional compounding.
Adequately addresses office use of compounded medications
Preserves the ability of pharmacies to engage in anticipatory compounding, so long as it is based on historical patterns
And urge them to oppose overreaching aspects of the Senate approach including:
Allowing FDA to unilaterally establish a “do not compound” list.
Requiring pharmacies to report directly to FDA when compounding a drug that is in short supply
Providing an exemption to hospital pharmacies from these regulations
With Congress potentially debating this legislation in September, it is vital that you make your voice heard on this important bill. Since negotiations are fluid, NCPA will provide updates in the weeks to come on the status of these legislative efforts.
Thank you for your action on this important matter, and please feel free to share any feedback you receive in your contacts with your Congressional offices.
Sincerely,
Michael Rule
Associate Director of Public Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy
National Community Pharmacists Association
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