Bioidentical Hormones - U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging

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Written Testimony of
Jane L. Murray, MD
- Board Chair, Women in Balance
Before the <strong>Senate</strong> <strong>Special</strong> Aging <strong>Committee</strong> on April 19, 2007
I am a licensed physician and a founder of the national, non-profit organization Women
in Balance which is comprised of thousands of women and health professionals dedicated
to helping women achieve optimum health, wellness and hormone balance through
providing education and promoting research. My experience as a physician has shown me
that women need more not fewer options in health care, especially related to hormone
balance. Compounded medications are an important option for many patients to meet
their hormone needs as well as to treat other conditions. Subjecting compounding
pharmacists and physicians to onerous federal oversight that duplicates well-established
regulations already in place at the state level is both burdensome and unnecessary.
Natural or bioidentical hormones commonly used for perimenopausal and menopausal
women include progesterone and the natural estrogens (estradiol, estrone, and estriol),
DHEA, and testosterone. The hormones are compounded, to fill a prescription from a
physician, in personalized doses and combinations and in- unique delivery methods to
meet the needs of each woman. <strong>Bioidentical</strong> hormones manufactured by pharmaceutical
companies come in limited doses and delivery methods. Compounded bioidentical
hormones are available from specialty compounding pharmacies and only with a
prescription from a health care provider, and bioidentical progesterone creams are
available over the counter. Over the past decade, millions of womern have used
bioidentical hormones with great success.
State boards of pharmacy regulate compounded medicines. In addition, every active
ingredient used in bioidentical hormone treatment has a U.S. Pharmacopeia monograph.
As a licensed physician, I must be able to prescribe freely for my patients to meet their
unique needs and that may include prescribing bioidentical hormones.
Many of my patients and those of other doctors who prescribe compounded bioidentical
hormones know first hand the relief that these hormones can provide and the importance
to a women's overall health. There is a tremendous amount of grass roots support for
continuing bioidentical hormones. In October of 2005, Wyeth filed a citizen's petition
with the FDA that, if implemented, would severely restrict the hormone treatment options
available to women. Over 50,000 women, physicians and pharmacists filed comments
opposing the Wyeth petition and supporting the use of bioidentical hormones.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony to the <strong>Committee</strong>.