Letter to the Editor

摘要

"Is there gluten in this medication?" As the rate of diagnosed people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity increases, the question is asked more frequently to pharmacists. Hospital pharmacists are at a particular disadavantage, as services are provided 24/7 and answers are often available during business hours only.Gluten, the protein in wheat, barley, and rye, is toxic to 3 million Americans with celiac disease. It may be used as an excipient in the formulation of medications, though manufacturers are not required to label it on drug packaging or product inserts. Dr. Allison King's November 2010 article, 'The Influence of Gluten on Patient Medication Choices," scratches the surface of the challenges faced in identifying whether gluten is in a medication. The article lists manufacturers that purport to offer gluten-free medications. An inquiry to one of the manufacturers, Merck & Co, Inc, found that the company will provide a list of medications that might contain gluten and that are also produced by the company.