HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06192001 - SD.8 F1
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ..............
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FROM: Donna Gerber -
Costa
DATE: June 19, 2001
County
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SUBJECT: Recommendation to Support Legislation, If Appropriate, for Additional
Oversight of Independent Pharmacies
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION:
1. REQUEST that the Public Health Director, Wendell Brunner, M.D. and appropriate Health
Department staff consult with the FDA and the state's Pharmacy Board to determine if
legislation is needed to protect the public health relative to the activities of independent
pharmacies.
2. SPONSOR legislation, if appropriate, and request that State Senator Tom Torlakson
author changes in regulations if it is found that changes are needed.
3. REFER the ongoing oversight of this process to the Board's Joint Conference Health
Committee.
4. REPORT back to the full Board when and if legislation is presented.
BACKGROUND:
The County Public Health Department has been investigating and intervening in a recent
contamination incident that has been widely publicized. An independent pharmacy in Walnut
Creek was the apparent source of the contaminated drugs. As a result of the contamination,
some patients who received the drugs contracted a form of meningitis. This has led to two
deaths thus far and, as many as, forty exposed patients.
The primary focus of the Public Health Department has been to identify the problem and to
intervene to prevent further infections and fatalities. However, it is unclear, at this time, what
state and federal regulations cover the oversight of independent compounding pharmacies
and there may be a need to strengthen those regulations.
Supervisor Gerber has been following this unfolding incident, which began in Walnut Creek,
and has discussed the possibility of legislation with Senator Torlakson who has indicated that
he has some spot bills that could serve as a legislative vehicle and could be considered this
legislative session. He has indicated an interest in authoring legislation if it is deemed
appropriate.
Drs. Wendell Brunner and William Walker will be available at the Board meeting to update
the Board and answer questions.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: —,.Ye< SIGNATURE:
•I RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOARD ONJW/APPROVE AS RECQMMENDED 0TJiEB——
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
4 UNANIMOUS(ABSENT Wdh P_ ) AND ENTERED 0 THE MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF SUP VISORS ON THE DATE
AYES: NOES: SHOWN.
ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
ATTESTED
J HN SWEETEN,CXRK OF THE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
C: Sup.Gerber
CAO
Dr.Wendell Brunner
Dr.William Walker BY ,e�"�PUTY