Sample scripts for contacting members of Congress asking them to support the ADINA Act–A bill requiring drug labels to disclose ingredients made from allergens or gluten

This bill was introduced with bipartisan support in the House. We are hopeful that it gains traction. If you would like to reach out to your members of Congress asking them to support this bill, you can find your representatives at https://www.house.gov/representatives and your senators at https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm.

For more information on this bill, please see the post at https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/a-bipartisan-bill-to-require-major-food-allergens-and-gluten-to-be-identified-in-medications/

Phone Script Example (please personalize)

Hello, my name is ____________________________, and I’m one of your constituents from __________________________.  I’m calling to ask ____________________________________ to support the ADINA Act, H.R. 4263 and S. 2079.  I (or a family member) have celiac disease (or a gluten related-disorder) and must make sure to not eat any gluten, including from medications. If passed, this legislation would be a game-changer. It would require the label of a drug intended for human use to identify each ingredient that is, or is derived directly or indirectly from a major food allergen or a gluten-containing grain. Right now, it is very difficult to find out if a medication includes any gluten-containing ingredients. In fact, at least one commercial pharmacy expressly states to their pharmacists that they should advise consumers requesting gluten-free medications that there is no definitive way to guarantee that any given drug product is gluten-free. Just imagine having to take a medication knowing that it could contain undisclosed gluten. This bill would help to ensure that the medications we take or give members of our family are safe. Without this legislation, we will continue to wonder if we are unknowingly taking medications that contain gluten. Worse yet, we may delay a needed medication because we can’t find out if it contains gluten. Please consider cosponsoring this bill. Thank you so much for your time.

Letter/Email Example (please personalize)

Dear ______________________________

On June 21st, The ADINA Act, a bipartisan bill (H.R.4263, S.2079)) was introduced by Representatives Dean Phillips (D-MN-3), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11), Representative Michael Lawler (R-NY-17), Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI-8), and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) (S.2079). If passed, this bill would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the label of a drug intended for human use to identify each ingredient that is, or is derived directly or indirectly from, a major food allergen or a gluten-containing grain.

Right now, it is very difficult to find out if a medication includes any gluten-containing ingredients. In fact, at least one commercial pharmacy expressly states to their pharmacists that they should advise consumers requesting gluten-free medications that there is no definitive way to guarantee that any given drug product is gluten-free. Just imagine having to take a medication knowing that it could contain undisclosed gluten. This bill would help to ensure that the medications we take or give members of our family are safe.  Without this legislation, we will continue to wonder if we are unknowingly taking medications that contain gluten. Worse yet, we may delay a needed medication because we can’t find out if it contains gluten.

Thank you for your time and for considering my request to cosponsor this bill.

Sincerely,