Friday, September 27, 2013

Question of the Day September 27, 2013 How can a voluntary federal law covering compounding pharmacies possibly work? Wouldn't that be like saying the Controlled Dangerous Substance Act is now voluntary?


1 comment:

Kenneth Woliner, MD said...

Congress often operates on the principle of "Half a loaf is better than none."

IACP is opposing the bill because they don't want any FDA involvement, even if it is a "voluntary registration".

As a patient, I'd be concerned because how the heck am I going to know if my doctor is injecting me with a medicine produced by a compounder that did register?

As a physician, I don't see any special benefit from using a registered facility. No immunity from lawsuits caused by tainted drugs, for example. And the anti-aging clinics run by businessmen (not physicians), will still pick the cheapest supplier, not the one that registers.

This bill is similar to Vietnam, where the U.S. "declared victory and left.". The Congress will pass this bill to say they did something, hoping another tragedy doesn't happen before the next election cycle. When another tragedy does happen (actually, a few more tragic events in a row), then, and only then would this do-nothing Congress actually do something significant to protect consumers from rogue pharmacies.

As it is, I had another compounding pharmacy offer me a split-fee relationship in which they would drop-ship compounded drugs to the patient, but collect payment from me, for which I could then charge my patient a higher price for the meds. This law won't stop that. Only better enforcement. I'm not holding my breath.

Kenneth Woliner, MD
www.holisticfamilymed.com