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(We’re using the word “prospective” only because, as of this writing, it hasn’t yet been formally posted to the committee calendar.)
Unlike the tornado, that potential invitation to testify isn’t arbitrary. It didn’t just happen. Rather, it is the result of APC using every arrow in our advocacy quiver over the past several weeks:
- Lobbying by our capable team of David Pore and PCCA’s Amy Shank
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Leveraging relationships we’ve cultivated via CompPAC, our political action committee
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Calling on our congressional friends – especially Cong. Diana Harshbarger, who is a compounding pharmacist – to urge committee staff to include compounding in the hearing
Our proposal is simple: With some relatively minor tweaking to law or policy, pharmacy compounding can be a solution to temporary drug shortages in hospitals and clinics – 503As in the near-term and 503Bs in the longer term, when timing and economic model facilitate them ramping up production. We’re talking about a very intentional, cascading system in which the A fills the gap until the B can ramp up – very much like what FDA allowed with 13 COVID drugs under temporary guidance during the pandemic. And yes, we support a “long tail” of 180 days for 503Bs to continue to distribute shortage drugs after the drug comes off the shortage list.
That’s the case Revelation Pharma CEO and former APC Board Chair Shawn Hodges of Kennesaw, Georgia, will make (prospectively!) to the House Energy and Commerce Committee Health Subcommittee this coming Thursday, September 14. And it’s the case we’ll make to the rest of Congress via more than 150 Hill meetings during Compounders on Capitol Hill, September 19-20.
Mother Nature is arbitrary – and sometimes Congress can be, too – but when it comes to elevating your pharmacy compounding practice, APC is intentional. And persistent. And effective.
Stay tuned for more info coming next week about Shawn’s (prospective) testimony.
– Scott
Scott Brunner, CAE, is APC’s chief executive officer. Email him at scott@a4pc.org.
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