NCPA

News Release
National Community Pharmacists Association
www.ncpanet.org


FOR    I M M E D I A T E    R E L E A S E

CONTACT:
Scott Brunner
Senior Vice President,
Communications and
State Government Affairs
scott.brunner@ncpanet.org
John Norton
Director of Public Relations
john.norton@ncpanet.org
National Community Pharmacists Association
100 Daingerfield Road
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 683-8200


NCPA Testifies at Congressional Hearing on Compounding

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Jan. 30, 2018) — In testimony before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health today, pharmacist Jake Olson, owner of Skywalk Pharmacy in Milwaukee, Wis., outlined six ways the implementation process for the Compounding Quality Act should be changed, and urged support for pending legislation that addresses many of these issues. Olson testified on behalf of the National Community Pharmacists Association.

"It is essential that patient access to vital compounded medications is preserved in the patient-physician-pharmacist triad," said Olson. "However, because of the FDA's implementation and enforcement of the Compounding Quality Act, providers lack much needed clarity and access to compounded medications has been negatively impacted. For providers to gain clarity and for access to be ensured, NCPA strongly supports bipartisan legislation, H.R. 2871, the Preserving Patient Access to Compounded Medications Act, by Reps. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas)."

Olson's testimony included these points:

  • State boards of pharmacy must retain oversight of pharmacy compounding.

  • Physician office-use compounding needs are not being adequately met.

  • The FDA is severely limiting access by prohibiting 503A pharmacies to compound for office use.

  • FDA must follow Congressional intent and clearly differentiate between "distribute" and "dispense" in the Memorandum of Understanding.

  • The FDA should end inspection reporting discrepancies between manufacturers and compounding pharmacies.

  • The FDA must make key changes to the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee and related activities.

Olson added, "NCPA is committed to working with members of the Health Subcommittee, the FDA, and other stakeholders regarding these important matters."

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The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA®) represents the interests of America's community pharmacists, including the owners of more than 22,000 independent community pharmacies. Together they represent an $80 billion health care marketplace and employ more than 250,000 individuals on a full- or part-time basis. To learn more, go to www.ncpanet.org, visit facebook.com/commpharmacy, or follow NCPA on Twitter @Commpharmacy.

NCPA