20.02.2013 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

26<br />

Equally c<strong>on</strong>cerning are claims by compounding pharmacists that compounded BHRT<br />

products can be used to prevent serious illnesses, including breast and col<strong>on</strong> cancers,<br />

cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer's disease. These claims are not substantiated by<br />

scientific evidence for these compounded BHRT products, and they risk misleading<br />

c<strong>on</strong>sumers into using compounded BHRT products to prevent these illnesses in the<br />

absence of any evidence supporting there effectiveness.<br />

FDA is also not aware of sound evidence showing the superiority of compounded BHRT<br />

products over FDA-approved drugs. Likewise, FDA has no informati<strong>on</strong> indicating that<br />

the side effects and risks of compounded BHRT products are dissimilar to those of<br />

FDA-approved drugs. Thus, claims regarding the safety, efficacy, and superiority of<br />

compounded BHRT products have not been substantiated by FDA and may mislead<br />

patients and practiti<strong>on</strong>ers.<br />

Lack of Warnings and Informati<strong>on</strong>: Compounded BHRT Products<br />

FDA regulati<strong>on</strong>s require prescripti<strong>on</strong> drugs c<strong>on</strong>taining estrogen to be dispensed with a<br />

patient package insert explaining the drug's benefits and risks. 21 CFR §310.515.<br />

Compounded BHRT products are often dispensed without this informati<strong>on</strong>. Thus,<br />

patients are not explicitly advised of the risks associated with the use of these<br />

compounded products. The absence of warnings and risk informati<strong>on</strong> may be viewed by<br />

patients as implicit evidence that compounded BHRT products are safer than<br />

FDA-approved drugs, when there is no data to support this c<strong>on</strong>clusi<strong>on</strong>.<br />

FDA's Shared C<strong>on</strong>cerns with Medical Professi<strong>on</strong>al Oreanizati<strong>on</strong>s<br />

FDA is not al<strong>on</strong>e in its c<strong>on</strong>cerns regarding compounded BHRT products. A number of<br />

medical professi<strong>on</strong>al organizati<strong>on</strong>s, including the American Medical Associati<strong>on</strong> (AMA),<br />

the Endocrine Society, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists<br />

have published formal statements regarding compounded BHRT products.' On the<br />

See American Medical Associati<strong>on</strong> House of Delegates Resoluti<strong>on</strong> 706, "TDA Oversight of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Bioidentical</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />

Horm<strong>on</strong>e (BH) Preparati<strong>on</strong>s," September 27, 2006; Endocrine Society Positi<strong>on</strong> Statement, 'Sioidentical<br />

<str<strong>on</strong>g>Horm<strong>on</strong>es</str<strong>on</strong>g>," October 2006; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, <str<strong>on</strong>g>Committee</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong><br />

Gynecologic Practice Opini<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> Compounded Bio-identical <str<strong>on</strong>g>Horm<strong>on</strong>es</str<strong>on</strong>g>, November 2005.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!