The Wall Street Journal’s Pharmalot (http://blogs.wsj.com/pharmalot) recently reported that Michael Weber, diagnosed with Celiac Disease, has filed suit against the FDA for their inaction on regulating gluten in medications. Mr. Weber believes he was glutened by his medication.
“After taking a generic drug seven years ago and developing side effects consistent with ingesting gluten, Weber petitioned the FDA to either eliminate wheat gluten in medicines or require new labeling on drugs containing the protein. The agency response has been slow. In 2011, the FDA sought public comments about the issue, but otherwise has not taken action.”
“In his lawsuit, he argues the failure to address the issue is hurting millions of Americans. About 1% of the U.S. population has celiac disease, according to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. “The absence of rules to address wheat gluten in prescription medications has serious and ongoing public health implications,” says Katie Einspanier, an attorney at Public Citizen, which represents him. Read more here.
More reading on gluten in medications:
http://www.celiaccentral.org/gluteninmeds/Gluten-in-Medications-Research-Report/1206/rev–2/
(contains links to legislature on gluten in meds, unfortunately no action has been taken in congress at present) http://celiaccorner.com/gluten-free-lifestyle/alcohol-medication/
