MEMBER MEMO

February 4, 2009

Dear USP Convention Members and Delegates:

USP Announces New Standards to Protect Patients from Counterfeit and Adulterated Medicines - With counterfeit and adulterated medicines posing an increasing risk to patients in the US and worldwide, USP continues to take steps to strengthen the safety nets that protect consumers from serious and potentially fatal health hazards. USP has updated standards for the blood thinner, heparin, and the sweetener, glycerin, two widely used drug products or drug components that have been involved in episodes of adulteration resulting in patient deaths. The heparin monographs have been comprehensively updated with additional tests to include current methods and technology. The revised standard for glycerin provides a much stronger barrier to help manufacturers and enforcement authorities prevent glycerin contaminated with diethylene glycol or ethylene glycol from entering the US drug supply. All manufacturers whose products are used in the US will be required, through FDA enforcement, to comply with the new standards. USP encourages all members to submit comments and consider advising their constituents about these public health related developments by visiting the USP Web site.

USP Reaches Out to New National Leaders - With the Obama administration's renewed national focus on protecting public health, USP has offered its scientific expertise and a series of recommendations in letters to the President, the Department of Health and Human Services  (62KB) (DHHS), and the Food and Drug Administration  (65KB) (FDA). In the letters, USP CEO Roger L. Williams, M.D., outlined the areas in which USP can offer support as the new administration explores ways to better secure the nation's supplies of medicines and foods.

Duane M. Kirking, Pharm.D., Ph.D. Elected as New Chair of USP Board of Trustees - At its December 2008 meeting, the USP Board of Trustees elected Dr. Duane M. Kirking as its new Chair, succeeding John W. Mauger, Ph.D. Dr. Kirking has served on the Board of Trustees since March 2005 and has been actively involved in USP since 1990, having served as a Convention member representing the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy for the 1995, 2000, and 2005 Convention meetings. He has also served on various Expert Committees including the Medicare Model Guidelines and Therapeutic Decision Making Committees. We thank Dr. Mauger for his thoughtful leadership of the Board since 2005 and we congratulate Dr. Kirking on his election to this important position.

Copy to Executive Officers 05-09