As the leading celiac disease organization focused on accelerating discovery, development and access to new treatments and a cure, Beyond Celiac focuses our advocacy efforts on maximizing investment of public funds in research and public policy supporting these desired outcomes.
Our community has the power to drive change by encouraging our legislators to support initiatives that make it easier for people with celiac disease to safely consume gluten-free foods, beverages, medications and supplements AND to drive funding for celiac disease research.
May 2020
Beyond Celiac Signs Letter Supporting Research Funding (Research Protection for Nonprofits). In a letter to Leaders McConnell and Schumer and Senators Thune and Durbin, Beyond Celiac joined over 120 nonprofit organizations to protect funding for research for nonprofits during this pandemic. These national organizations expressed their appreciation for the Congressional response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact. The signatories to the letter wrote to encourage Congress to provide at least $2 billion in bridge funding in future Congressional COVID-19 relief packages to assure the stalled research supported by non-profit organizations, voluntary health associations, science societies, and foundations, can resume once researchers return to their labs.
Expressing deep concern about the economic consequences that the Covid-19 pandemic will have on America’s research pipeline, this appeal notes that the non-profit and voluntary health organization research community is a critical part of America’s drug research and development pipeline. It is the fourth largest contributor for U.S. medical and health research and development expenditures, and funds thousands of early and mid-career scientists and researchers each year. Collectively this sector of the research community invests at least $6-7 billion each year to advance biomedical research and grants from the National Institutes of Health or other federal research agencies. There is grave concern that a decrease in research funding from this community will force many researchers to abandon important research projects, including disease specific research, and will result in a gap of needed researchers for years to come.
When the House of Representatives returns to Washington DC, this letter will go out to House leadership, as well.
April 2020
Beyond Celiac signs letter: Friends of NIDDK Letter to Congress on Supplemental Funding for NIDDK During COVID-19.
March 2020
As part of our advocacy, we signed on to a letter going to Congress asking for continuing and increased (5% plus inflation) support for the critical and highly successful defense health research programs funded through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at the Department of Defense (DoD).
While many of these DoD programs are directly related to research concerning preparedness and response to global pandemics, others fund research from a wide range of medical conditions and health challenges. This includes autoimmune diseases.
On Sunday, March 1, members of the Beyond Celiac team spent their morning at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s annual Celiac Education Day.
There, they informed attendees about legislation, shared information on the importance of the gluten-free diet, how to correctly read food labels, tips for eating out, and updates on our research efforts to patients with celiac disease and their caretakers. Visitors were also able to sample a number of gluten-free treats, learn about the gluten-free lifestyle, and meet CHOP healthcare leaders specialized in the treatment of celiac disease.
On December 11, 2019, Senator Richard Blumenthal [D-CT] introduced S.3021, to the Senate floor. This bill is meant to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the label of a drug that is intended for human use and contains an ingredient that is derived directly or indirectly from a gluten-containing grain to identify each such ingredient, and for other purposes. It will also be known as the Gluten in Medicine Disclosure Act of 2019.
On April 3, 2019, Representative Tim Ryan [D-OH] introduced H.R. 2074, the Gluten in Medicine Disclosure Act of 2019 to the to the House of Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health. It uses the same language as the Senate version of the bill.
If passed, these bills would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require gluten be labeled in all medications.
Early in our history, Beyond Celiac stepped into the field of advocacy when we learned that there were not any celiac disease organizations actively involved in addressing the risk of potential gluten exposure through medications.
Beyond Celiac has expanded its advocacy initiatives and has focused on advocating for access to high quality healthcare, along with gluten-free food and drug safety standards by providing training and resources to the foodservice industry and regulatory agencies.
Our current advocacy focuses include getting the Gluten in Medications bills passed as well as maximizing investment of public funds in research and public policy supporting these desired outcomes.
Below are some of our advocacy highlights:
Addressing Challenges for U.S. Gluten-Free College Students
In 2012, Beyond Celiac continued its work in the college and university setting by surveying nearly 1,000 U.S. gluten-free college students to strengthen our ability to advocate for improved training for college foodservice operator. This survey revealed a continued and pervasive lack of awareness and accommodation for students with gluten-related disorders.
Involvement with the Digestive Disease National Coalition (DDNC)
Beyond Celiac is a member of the Digestive Disease National Coalition (DDNC), an advocacy organization focused on improving public policy related to digestive diseases and increasing public awareness of and government funding for digestive diseases.
Participation in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Patient Representative Program
In 2012, Alice Bast, Beyond Celiac President and CEO and Kristin Voorhees, MA, Beyond Celiac Director of Healthcare Initiatives were chosen to serve as FDA Patient Representatives for celiac disease as part of FDA’s program to ensure that patients have a voice in its regulatory decision-making.
Drug Information Association (DIA) Participation
Kristin Voorhees, MA, Beyond Celiac Director of Healthcare Initiatives was a 2013 Patient Advocate Fellow for the Drug Information Association (DIA).
Education of Pharmacists and the Labeling of Gluten in Medications
Beyond Celiac works with the FDA and private organizations and corporations to meet our shared goal: safe pharmaceutical care for those who must maintain a medically necessary gluten-free diet.
Gluten-Free Food Labeling
Beyond Celiac actively worked to secure regulations that define the requirements for food companies manufacturing packaged products that make a gluten-free label claim.
Working with Celiac Centers of Excellence: Providing Data to Advance a Better Understanding of Celiac Disease
Beyond Celiac collects information and data from patients and their families about their concerns, attitudes and health outcomes, partnering with experts to advance a better understanding of the disease and how to manage it.
Speaking Engagements and Industry Presentations
Beyond Celiac influences decision makers that impact all aspects of life to advance the interests of the celiac disease community.
Beyond Celiac in National Media
Beyond Celiac engages in press outreach and fields press inquiries from national media and industry reporters looking for expert input.
Ongoing Advocacy for Safe Medications
Watch this page for new initiatives that you can support.
Get a Beyond Celiac shirt to help spread awareness here!
Current Initiatives:
Then, contact your representatives and encourage them to support legislative initiatives.
Download a sample letter for your congressperson written by the staff at Beyond Celiac:
Opt-in to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Yes, I want to advance research No, I'd prefer not to
