E-DRUG: compounded drugs too lightly regulated? (4)
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Dear E-Druggers,
I agree with Foppe van Mil--the clinics share responsibility in this unfortunate case, however, the situation is complicated. The product associated with Blanca Bolanos's death is an unapproved drug in the US, yet compounding pharmacies broadly market such products to physicians and health clinics in the absence of adequate efficacy and safety data. Photocaine is still being advertised by the pharmacy involved in this second identified death--the mixture is not commercially available (either as an over the counter product or by prescription).
Ironic--having recently sat through hours of testimony before the US Senate on the issue of importation, the greatest risks from unapproved and/or substandard drugs in the US may be from products manufacturered outside federal regualtions WITHIN our borders.
Sarah Sellers, PharmD MPH
ssellers@jhsph.edu