November 4, 2015
The Honorable Tim Ryan
1203 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Nita Lowey
2365 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representatives Ryan and Lowey:
On behalf of ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists), I am writing in support of H.R. 3648, the Gluten in Medicine Disclosure Act of 2015. This legislation would require prescription drug manufacturers to include within the labeling of their products, notification that the drug product contains gluten. ASHP applauds your leadership on this issue.
ASHP is the national professional organization whose more than 40,000 members include pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and student pharmacists who provide patient care services in hospitals, health systems, and ambulatory clinics. For over 70 years, the Society has been on the forefront of efforts to improve medication use and enhance patient safety.
H.R. 3648 is consistent with ASHP policy that advocates for a requirement for manufacturers to declare on the drug label, potentially allergenic excipients. Allergy related complications resulting from ingestion of food, over-the-counter, or prescription drugs can result in serious patient harm. This legislation would help prevent those events from occurring by requiring drug manufacturers to include on the label notification that the product contains gluten.
ASHP thanks you for introducing this important legislation and we look forward to working with you to move the bill forward.
Sincerely,
Kasey K. Thompson, Pharm.D., M.S., M.B.A.
Vice President, Policy, Planning and Communications