Copy of letter send to HHS Secretary Burwell about needless destruction by FDA of authentic meds

Sylvia Mathews Burwell
Secretary, Health and Human Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201

Dear Secretary Burwell:

I am writing to offer my congratulations to you on your nomination and assumption of the duties as the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Among the many challenges you will face as Secretary will be the continuing problem of the costs of prescription medicines, an issue that forces as many as 50 million Americans to forgo adherence to a regimen of taking vital medicines because they simply cannot afford them.  (1)

This threatens the health and well-being of  huge numbers of Americans.  That is why so many individual Americans, groups, and local and state governmental entities  have turned to personal importation of brand-name prescription medicines from Tier One Countries, whose standards of safety and efficacy meet or exceed those of the U.S.

And that is why I must alert you to the potential harmful impact of rules that are being promulgated for Section 708 of the Food and Drug  Administration Safety and Innovation Act(FDASIA).  Section 708 would allow the destruction of a drug valued at $2,500 or less that has been  refused admission into the United States.

 Since there is no requirement that the FDA test the authenticity of seized medicines, we shall witness the spectacle of a governmental agency (the FDA) specifically designed to protect and promote the health and well-being of Americans instead destroying legitimate medicines at a time when millions of citizens are unable to enjoy the health benefits of access to a regimen of prescription medicines because of their high cost.

I respectfully urge you to order a delay in the implementation of Section 708—a move that is gaining support among Congress as it realizes the Section actually is contrary to  what should be the goals of the FDA.  I am including a copy of the Section 708 Rule Promulgation submission from TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com and RxforAmerican Health blog as background for your review and consideration.

Sincerely,

Daniel Hines