Political Quotes

“more than a year ago we witnessed the fatal New England Compounding Center meningitis outbreak. The Food and Drug Administration failed to pursue enforcement action against NECC, despite clear warning signs. Moreover, the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy did not do its job. It failed to provide basic oversight. This inaction allowed a criminal compounder to operate with impunity--ending the lives of many Americans. In contrast, the Arkansas Board of Pharmacy is competent and thorough. It does a great job. Arkansas regularly inspects all pharmacies. We are a small State, but we run a tight ship. However, Arkansas has no way of knowing whether other State pharmacy boards are doing their job. We need to take steps to protect patients from precarious, poorly inspected, out-of-State drugs. However, I want to make clear of something before we move on this legislation. The practice of pharmacy, including pharmacy compounding, is a State issue. Nothing in this law changes that. Compounded drugs for office- use is a State issue. Nothing in this law changes that. Commonplace drug repackaging for drugs--like Avastin--is a State issue. I relied on compounders regularly when I practiced in a surgery center. Office-use compounding and repackaging is acceptable under Arkansas law. Nothing in this law changes that.…”