In the News

FDA actions regarding pharmacy manufacturing

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued Warning Letters to respiratory home medical equipment/pharmacy organizations on the basis of serious violations of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act). According to the Act, the activities of these companies exceeded the bounds of compounding and constituted drug manufacturing. Below are the issued Warning Letters:

Lincare Warning Letter

RespiCare Group of Puerto Rico Warning Letter

CCS Medical Warning Letter

Rotech Healthcare Warning Letter

Delta Pharma Inc. Warning Letter

For more information, go to http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning.htm.

Government response

Articles and letters from 2000 to 2007 outlining federal initiatives and discussions regarding pharmacy manufacturing:

Grassley Praises Medicare Action on Compounded Inhalation Drugs Press Release (August 24, 2006)(PDF)

CMS Response to Letter from Sen. Charles Grassley (August 22, 2006)(PDF)

Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) Letter to FDA and CMS (July 13, 2006)(PDF)

The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)

Pharmacy Compounding: Customizing Prescription Drugs

New Medicare Rules May Increase Risk From Unregulated Compounded Drug Copies

In the media

Articles that provide additional information on compounding and pharmacy manufacturing:

Hundreds of unapproved drugs sold by prescriptions: They may be ineffective or even dangerous, but FDA can’t corral them all, USA Today (September 18, 2006)

Medicare cuts payments for pharmacy-made drugs USA Today (August 23, 2006)

Deaths spur debate about drugs made in pharmacies: Experts seek stricter oversight by hospitals, state regulators, FDA USA Today (August 8, 2006)

A warning on asthma drugs: Mass-marketed drug compounds sold for less can prove ineffective or harmful to patients Newsday (May 14, 2006)

Concern on drug mixing: Some urge better regulation of labs that compound drugs for asthmatics and other respiratory patients Newsday (May 4, 2006)

Safety concerns grow over pharmacy-mixed drugs USA Today (March 3, 2005)

Compounding pharmacies under scrutiny Wall Street Journal (February 27, 2004)

Some pharmacists who mix medicines dispense unsafe drugs. The Kansas City Star. October 6, 2002.

Indication and Important Safety Information

PULMICORT RESPULES is indicated for the maintenance treatment of asthma and as prophylactic therapy in children ages 12 months to 8 years.

PULMICORT RESPULES is not a bronchodilator and is NOT indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm.

The most common adverse events reported in clinical trials, regardless of relationship to treatment, include respiratory infection, rhinitis, coughing, and otitis media.

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PULMICORT RESPULES, like other inhaled corticosteroids, may impact the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, especially in susceptible individuals, in young children, and in patients given high doses for prolonged periods.

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Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information.

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