What action has FDA taken to improve the quality of levothyroxine sodium products?
A. In 2005, FDA held a public meeting with the American Thyroid Association, the Endocrine Society, and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Some endocrinologists expressed concern about the performance of these products. As a result, FDA requested product stability data from manufacturers of all approved products manufactured between July 2003 and June 2005. Then in 2006, FDA presented the data at a joint meeting of the Endocrine and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee and the Advisory Committee for Pharmaceutical Sciences. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the potency and stability of marketed levothyroxine products. In October 2007, FDA announced that it is tightening its potency specifications for all levothyroxine sodium to ensure the drug retains its potency over its entire shelf life. Q. What can patients do to ensure proper use of thyroid medications? A. • Store these medicines in a dry place at room temperature and avoid bathrooms and other humid, hot
