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
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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.