2017 -- H 6036

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LC002264

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE LABELING AND

SALES OF HOMEOPATHIC MEDICATIONS

     Introduced By: Representatives Shanley, Solomon, Cunha, and Barros

     Date Introduced: March 30, 2017

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     WHEREAS, Homeopathic treatments have increasingly been marketed in drug store and

supermarket aisles, alongside Food and Drug Administration-approved over-the-counter

medications like Tylenol and Mucinex; and

     WHEREAS, Homeopathic remedies are regulated as drugs under the Federal Food, Drug

and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). However, under current Agency policy, the FDA does not evaluate

the remedies for safety or effectiveness and it is unclear when federal action will be taken to

regulate homeopathic products with misleading labels or packaging; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of nine (9) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the Rhode Island House

of Representatives, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the

Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the Director of the Rhode Island Department of

Health, or designee; one of whom shall be the Dean of the Alpert Medical School at Brown

University, or designee; one of whom shall be the Associate Dean of Medicine for Public Health

and Policy at the Alpert Medical School at Brown University, or designee; one of whom shall be

the President of the Rhode Island Pharmacists Association, or designee; one of whom shall be a

member of the North American Society of Homeopaths, to be appointed by the Speaker, or

designee; and one of whom shall be a member of the general public, to be appointed by the

Speaker.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly

resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu

of a legislator, provided that the Majority Leader or the Minority Leader of the political party

which is entitled to the appointment, consents to the member of the general public.

      The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study and submit

recommendations pertaining to the labeling, sales, and placement of homeopathic remedies

including, but not limited to:

     • The regulations and monitoring required to provide proper labeling of homeopathic

drugs to ensure patient safety;

     • Labeling necessary to afford discloser on the safety and effectiveness of homeopathic

remedies;

     • Appropriate placement within retail outlets to clearly establish and differentiate between

homeopathic remedies and FDA approved and tested medications.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select a chairperson.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House of Representatives no later than February 6, 2018, and said commission shall expire on

May 6, 2018.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE LABELING AND

SALES OF HOMEOPATHIC MEDICATIONS

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     This resolution would create a nine (9) member special legislative study commission

whose purpose it would be to study and provide recommendations on the labeling and sales of

homeopathic medication, and who would report back to the House no later than February 6, 2018,

and whose life would expire on May 6, 2018.

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LC002264

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