West Nova News

Washington, DC – On June 20, U.S. Representatives Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) and Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) led 23 of their colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to create patient-centered compound hormones policies that maintain patients' access to care and treatment options. Compounded hormone therapies are key in aiding the well-being and quality of care for millions of women and other patients, especially those going through menopause, seeking treatment for fertility challenges, or facing other hormonal imbalances.

“Compounded hormone therapies are an essential tool to help millions of Americans get the personalized medical care they need,” said Rep. Wexton. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort with Rep. Burgess to protect access to the best possible care options that patients deserve, especially for the millions of women and other patients who rely on compounded hormone therapies.”

"By advocating for patient-centered compounded hormone therapy policies, we ensure that millions of individuals maintain access to the personalized medical care they require,” said Rep. Burgess. “Compounded hormone therapies are an indispensable tool in delivering the best possible care options, and it is our duty to protect and preserve this vital resource."

Wexton and Burgess are taking action in response to a recent report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) which contains numerous concerning recommendations which, if implemented, would limit or eliminate access to important compounded hormone therapies.

The letter emphasizes the value of compounded medicines and their importance in a prescribing physician’s ability to uniquely tailor and personalize medications to meet the needs of their patients. Compounded medicines are often used by medical providers to meet a patient’s individual needs, such as a different dosage level, delivery method, or a combination of hormones than what is included in manufactured products. Research shows that up to 2.5 million women in the U.S. 40 years of age or older may rely on compounded hormones like estriol, estradiol, and progesterone.

In addition to Wexton and Burgess, the letter is signed by Representatives Mark E. Amodei (R-NV), Brian Babin, D.D.S. (R-TX), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Jerry L. Carl (R-AL), Earl L. “ Buddy” Carter (R-GA), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Neal P. Dunn, M.D. (R-FL), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), Marianne Miller-Meeks (R-IA), John R. Moolenaar (R-MI), Gregory F. Murphy, M.D. (R-NC), Gary J. Palmer (R-AL), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Austin Scott (R-GA), and Robert J. Wittman (R-VA).

The full text of the letter can be found here and below:

Original source can be found here.