Imagine relying on a life-saving treatment to manage your health, only to have it ripped away without explanation. This is the frightening reality Californians may face if the California State Board of Pharmacy (BOP) moves forward with its plan to make access to essential compounds like glutathione, NAD+, and methylcobalamin (the most a bioavailable form of B12) on November 6-7 much more difficult.
These specialized compounds aren’t just supplements; they are vital medicines that have helped patients with cancer, chronic illnesses, and even firefighters exposed to dangerous toxins. The Autism Community in Action (TACA) even cites numerous studies where Methyl B12 significantly improved symptoms of autism, including non-verbalism, where other forms of B12 were ineffective. If these new regulations pass, California will become the only state in the country to restrict these treatments despite years of safe and effective use.
The California Board of Pharmacy is changing the rules for how certain medications are made and checked in pharmacies, focusing on sterile and non-sterile medicines, though the severe restrictions specifically target sterile preparations. Dozens of doctors, pharmacists, and healthcare groups have expressed public concerns that the new rules will be very expensive to follow, especially regarding sterility testing and environmental checks, without offering clear benefits to patient safety. “Scientifically-backed US Pharmacopeia (USP) standards already ensure and guarantee patient safety. Why on earth should we exceed USP standards at the expense of patient access?” stated Crystal A. Frost, patient and founder of the Stop The BOP movement seeking to restore and protect patient access.
Pharmacists from major hospitals like Cedars-Sinai have explained that the newly proposed requirements, like reporting every detail of equipment used in quick medication preparations, will put unnecessary pressure on pharmacy staff and use up resources without improving safety.
These extra steps could raise pharmacy costs, making treatments more expensive and harder for patients to afford.
The Human Cost of This Decision
The impact of this decision isn’t hypothetical—it’s real, and it’s personal. Take firefighters, for example. Cancer has become their leading cause of death, largely due to the toxic substances they are exposed to on the job. Glutathione, a powerful antioxidant produced by the liver, has been a critical part of many firefighters’ integrative detoxification treatment plans, helping them fight the effects of these carcinogens.
The same is true for cancer patients, individuals with autoimmune conditions and neurological diseases, and many others who rely on these compounds to manage their illnesses. Cutting off access to these treatments isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a life-threatening change for many.
A Silent Crisis
The BOP’s move has sparked outrage among healthcare providers and patient advocates alike despite the Governor’s office and Department of Consumer Affairs standing by and ignoring public outcry.
More than 300 pages of letters have been submitted to the BOP, including from major organizations like Cedars Sinai, Kaiser Permanente, California Pharmacists Association, Keck Medicine of USC, CVS Health, UCSF Medical Center Department of Pharmacy Services, Walgreen Company, California Society of Plastic Surgeons, California Orthopedic Association, and others. Yet, despite this overwhelming opposition, the board continues to push forward with its agenda.
This isn’t just a debate over pharmacy regulations; it’s about the lives and well-being of millions of Californians. And the fact that an unelected body is making this decision without providing transparency or justification should alarm us all.
What Can You Do?
California’s legislators and the public need to pay attention. If we don’t act now, countless people could lose access to treatments that keep them alive and healthy. The Board of Pharmacy’s vote is set for the day after the election, on November 6-7, and voices from all walks of life—patients, healthcare providers, and the public—must be heard. Advocates are asking the public to sign the petition and give a public comment at the board meeting, wth this agenda item scheduled to be addressed on November 7 at 9AM.
For more information on this vital issue and how to make your voice heard, visit StopTheBOP.com. This isn’t just a battle for access to medicine; it’s a fight for the health and safety of all Californians.
