Prempro manufacturer rallies against custom-blended hormone mixes

By Elizabeth Rhein

Published on April 30, 2006

In 2002, a study by the Women's Health Initiative showed that replacement hormones made from mare urine increased the risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, and strokes. These findings prompted the trend of compounding pharmacies, which advertised the ability to custom-blend hormone creams and pills from natural sources such as yams and soy.

Now, a battle rages between women who want the ability to continue receiving so-called bio-identical hormones from compounding pharmacies, and pharmaceutical manufacturers such as Wyeth, makers of Prempro. The drugmakers claim that individual pharmacies don't have adequate knowledge of their products, and that the FDA should crack down.

Of course, women who prefer the services of compounding pharmacies believe that Wyeth is trying to strong-arm the smaller companies out of business to force patients to take their drugs.

The FDA has not yet commented in favor of either side. They have stated that currently, compounded hormones are not approved by their agency, and that Wyeth's petition will require at least six months of review and response time.

If you are currently taking Prempro or compounded bio-identical hormones and are concerned about the possible effects, you should talk to your doctor about your options.

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