Illinois Bill Moves to Protect Celiacs from Hidden Gluten in Drugs

Celiac.com 06/21/2021 - In a move that could help to protect people with celiac disease who purchase oral drugs, a senator in the Illinois State Legislature has sponsored a measure to require oral drugs to carry proper warning labels to alert users to the presence of gluten or other allergens.

“Restaurants and grocery stores have increased their gluten-free offerings and have become far better equipped to properly label and handle items for people with dietary restrictions,” Morrison said. “People with Celiac and other gluten intolerances should feel just as protected when visiting a pharmacy.”

Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
Under the recently passed legislation, any prescription or over-the-counter drug that contains gluten that is not labeled would be considered misbranded. 

The fact is that most oral drugs do not contain gluten, so many consumers assume that all are gluten-free, unless otherwise specified. However, that is not true. Currently, many oral drugs do contain gluten ingredients that are not labeled and not required to be labeled by law.

Inadvertently consuming gluten can be harmful to with celiac disease or other gluten intolerance, and may interfere with the action of some medications.

“The measure will make it easier and safer for people with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to make informed purchases of necessary medications,” Morrison said. “We expect the food we purchase to be properly labeled, so why shouldn’t we expect the same from the medications we take?”

Illinois House Bill 279 has now passed both chambers, and now goes to the Governor for approval.

Read more at illinoissenatedemocrats.com.