House Representatives Timothy Ryan (OH) and Nita Lowey (NY) have introduced a bill that would make it easier for gluten-free consumers to decode medication labels. The Gluten in Medicine Identification Act of 2012 would require drug labels to identify the source of inactive ingredients, including potential sources of gluten.

Gluten in medications is a concern in the celiac and gluten-free community. Currently, law does not require drug manufacturers to identify gluten in their products, which causes confusion and frustration among gluten-free consumers looking for a safe product. The new bill addresses this issue, and gluten-free consumers can take action in support of the bill.

All five celiac organizations – American Celiac Disease Alliance, Celiac Disease Foundation, Celiac Sprue Association, Gluten Intolerance Group and the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness – have endorsed the Gluten in Medicine Identification Act. They have also called upon gluten-free consumers to contact their Representatives and ask them to co-sponsor the bill. As a result of this collaborative effort, the bill currently has 9 co-sponsors:

• Rep Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [GU]
• Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7]
• Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16]
• Rep Lowey, Nita M. [NY-18]
• Rep McCollum, Betty [MN-4]
• Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8]
• Rep Nadler, Jerrold [NY-8]
• Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC]
• Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [NY-28]

There is still time to contact your Representatives and ask for their support of this legislation. To take action, see the Action Alert on ACDA’s website. Fill out the form to send a message to your Representatives.

The Gluten in Medications Identification Act marks another achievement in the work toward making medications safer for those with gluten-related disorders. Earlier this year, the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness conducted a survey as the first step in its comprehensive study of Gluten in Medications. The study is funded by a grant from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.