Sacramento - Today (Oct. 7), Senator Bill Emmerson (R-Redlands) announced that Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 294 into law. This measure would increase oversight of sterile compounding pharmacies to ensure that sterile drug products that are dispensed or shipped into California are safe for consumers.
Specifically, SB 294 requires both in-state and out-of-state pharmacies that compound sterile drug products for California patients that will be inhaled, injected, or administered into the eyeto apply for a special, additional license from the California State Board of Pharmacy. Under this new law, the board is required to inspect these facilities annually to provide consistent oversight and ensure compliance with pharmacy law.
"Recent events have made it clear that it's necessary to increase oversight of sterile compounding pharmacies to ensure patient safety," Senator Emmerson said. "I'm pleased that the Governor signed SB 294 into law because we must do everything we can to prevent another patient injury or death."
In June 2012, a sterile injectable pharmacy located in Florida shipped contaminated medications into California which resulted in significant patient harm, including blindness in some cases. Then in October 2012, the New England Compounding Center based in Massachusetts shipped tainted steroid injections throughout the country, including California, causing fungal meningitis and other infections in 700 patients and resulting in the death of more than 60 people.
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Specifically, SB 294 requires both in-state and out-of-state pharmacies that compound sterile drug products for California patients that will be inhaled, injected, or administered into the eye
"Recent events have made it clear that it's necessary to increase oversight of sterile compounding pharmacies to ensure patient safety," Senator Emmerson said. "I'm pleased that the Governor signed SB 294 into law because we must do everything we can to prevent another patient injury or death."
In June 2012, a sterile injectable pharmacy located in Florida shipped contaminated medications into California which resulted in significant patient harm, including blindness in some cases. Then in October 2012, the New England Compounding Center based in Massachusetts shipped tainted steroid injections throughout the country, including California, causing fungal meningitis and other infections in 700 patients and resulting in the death of more than 60 people.
continue to read here