Inspired By Minnesota Girl's Allergy Scare, Phillips Introduces Bill To Require Allergen Labelling In Medication

Dean Phillips | Rep. Dean Phillips Official U.S. Congress headshot

By South Hennepin News report

Jun 22, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 22, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) introduced the bipartisan Allergen Disclosure In Non-Food Articles (ADINA) Act. The bill was named in honor of Adina Togal, an 11 year old from Minnesota, who was hospitalized after taking medication with undisclosed allergens. If enacted, the ADINA Act would amend the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require labeling of major food allergens or gluten-containing grains on drugs intended for human use and hold medications to the same labeling standards as food products. Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), and Mike Gallagher (R-WI) are original cosponsors. Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT) introduced a companion in the Senate.

“Everyone has a right to know what’s going into their body, whether it be medication or food,” said Rep. Phillips. “Without proper labeling, taking medication for a simple illness could have detrimental or even deadly side effects for people living with severe food allergies. I’m grateful Adina and her family brought this issue to my attention, and I encourage my colleagues to support the ADINA Act for a safer, healthier future for those with food allergies.”

“Protecting the health and safety of its citizens is one of the most basic functions of government. That’s why I am proud to be an original co-sponsor of the ADINA Act, which will require the labeling of prescription and over-the-counter drugs for the top-nine allergens and gluten,” said Rep. Lawler. “Patients have a right to know what is in the medications they are given so that something designed to help them doesn’t wind up hurting them as a result of an allergic reaction. I will continue working with my colleagues to move this common sense bipartisan legislation forward.”

“Over 90 percent of medications contain potential allergens for people with life-threatening food allergies, intolerances, or Celiac disease,” said Rep Sherill. “Yet too many medicine containers do not provide the appropriate warnings of this threat on their labels. The over 327,000 New Jerseyans with food allergies should not have to fear taking medicine that could cause a harmful reaction. This bipartisan and commonsense change to federal guidelines will help protect millions of Americans from dangerous exposure.”

“Currently, Americans with allergies must take extraordinary steps to determine if the drugs they need will cause an allergic reaction and harm their health,” said Rep. Gallagher. “This bill brings transparency to pharmaceutical drug labeling and helps ensure any American with allergies can easily determine whether or not they can take certain medicines.”

“Patients need to be fully aware of potential allergens in their medication. Just like food, drugs intended for human use should be clearly labeled to prevent those living with Celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or life threatening allergies from experiencing harmful reactions,” said Senator Blumenthal. “This commonsense measure will provide the millions of Americans with food allergies the peace of mind and transparency they deserve.”

“On behalf of the more than 33 million Americans with potentially life-threatening food allergies, we are grateful for Rep. Dean Phillips’s leadership to ensure that medicine is labeled for the top-nine allergens and gluten,” said Sung Poblete, RN, PhD, CEO of Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE). “His common-sense bill ensures that the medicine designed to keep us safe, does not harm us due to the inclusion of a potential allergen, which is the case for a staggering 93% of all medicines. Passage of the ADINA Act into law is one of FARE’s top legislative priorities and we encourage all House members to cosponsor this important bill.”

The ADINA Act is endorsed by major medical and allergy advocacy organizations, including: