Drug Quality and Security Act Boosts FDA Regulations Over Compounding Pharmacies

Lance Leider headshotBy Lance O. Leider, J.D., The Health Law Firm

On November 18, 2013, the United States Senate voted to increase federal oversight of compounding pharmacies that produce large volumes of mixed drugs. This bill comes in the wake of last year’s meningitis outbreak stemming from unsanitary conditions at the New England Compounding Center (NECC). Click here to read a previous blog on the meningitis outbreak.

This bill does not give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) absolute authority over compounders, but creates significant safeguards.

This particular piece of legislation passed the House of Representatives in September of 2013, passed in the Senate in November 2013, and President Obama […]

Compounding Pharmacies Urged to Sign Up for U.S. Food and Drug Administration Oversight

Lance Leider headshotBy Lance O. Leider, J.D., The Health Law Firm

It is estimated there are 3,000 compounding pharmacies in the United States, 14 of which have signed up to be regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Drug Quality and Security Act. On January 8, 2014, the commissioner of the FDA sent thousands of letters to hospitals and other medical providers that may buy medicines from the compounding pharmacies. The letters urged providers to encourage compounding pharmacies to register as producers of sterile drugs in an effort to protect the public. The letters also mentioned last year’s meningitis outbreak stemming from unsanitary conditions at the New England […]

Recall Alert: FDA Warns Steroid Injections Compounded by Tennessee Pharmacy May Be Contaminated

6 Indest-2008-3By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent out a warning to health care professionals that steroid injections compounded by Main Street Family Pharmacy, LLC, in Tennessee, may be contaminated. The announcement came on May 24, 2013. So far, seven patients have allegedly suffered adverse reactions from the medications. The FDA says it is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy to investigate. The steroid injections were allegedly sent to 13 states, including Florida.

To read the press release from the FDA, click here.

Steroid […]

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