DeLauro Response to Possibly Tainted Compounded Drugs in CT

Will Reintroduce Legislation to Improve Safety ofCompounded Drugs

WASHINGTON, DC -- Congresswoman DeLauro (D-CT) released thefollowing statement in response to the announcement from the state Departmentof Consumer Protection that possibly contaminated compounded drugs had beendelivered to a Connecticut hospital.

"Thankfully these products were identified beforemaking anyone sick. And thanks to the leadership of our state consumerprotection and public health officials, an investigation is alreadyunderway. Still, that these unsafe products were shipped to a hospitalreinforces the need to improve oversight and better ensure the safety of drugsfrom compounding pharmacies. I will soon reintroduce the S.A.F.E.Compounded Drugs Act to do just that."

DeLauro is a senior member of the appropriationssubcommittee that provides funding for the Food and Drug Administration(FDA). She introduced the S.A.F.E. Compounded Drugs Act in the last Congressafter learning of the patchwork of state and federal oversight of compoundingpharmacies because of the fungal meningitis outbreak that has resulted in theillness of more than 720 Americans as of March 11, 2013.