Federal government has ties to Minnesota in promoting allergen labeling on medicines
When you read food labels, you’ll see that major allergens are listed on the package, but the same isn’t true for many medications.
There is currently a movement to amend federal law to require allergen labeling on pharmaceutical products.
Many medications, whether prescription or over-the-counter, do not list whether they contain major allergens such as dairy, eggs, peanuts, or wheat.
Adina Togel, a 12-year-old from Maple Grove, and her family found this out the hard way last summer when Adina was away at summer camp. She was unknowingly given antibiotics, which caused a severe reaction and was taken to hospital.
“I was really scared. I was scared. I really wanted my mom,” Adina said.
Currently, federal legislation is designed to eliminate guesswork.Allergen Disclosure Act on Non-Food Items, or ADINA methodwas introduced by Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips in June.
Labels are required to identify each ingredient in a drug product that is directly or indirectly derived from major food allergens or gluten-containing grains. There are currently 31 co-sponsors in the House. A companion bill has also been introduced in the Senate.
“I think it would help people a lot. It would help people feel less afraid of thinking about what’s going on inside their bodies,” Adina said.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS reached out to PhRMA, a trade association for pharmaceutical companies. A spokeswoman said the bill was “under consideration”.
For more information on the bill, please visit click here.
