Nurse practitioner thanks Rep. Hamadeh for letter to FDA

Independent Newsmedia

To protect the 1.5 million hypothyroid patients who depend on desiccated thyroid extracts — DTEs — the FDA must rescind its recent action against these essential medications.

I want to thank Arizona Rep. Abe Hamadeh (AZ-8) for his leadership in protecting patient access to the medicine that works best for them and for his recent letter urging the FDA to preserve access to these essential medications.

As a health care provider, I know the devastating impact patients would face if this treatment were restricted. Please join me in thanking Rep. Hamadeh and calling on the FDA to safeguard this vital medication for the Arizonans who rely on it.

As the former Arizona State liaison for the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, I know how important DTEs are for the people of Arizona. Managing hypothyroidism requires treatment options that work best for patients.

While other options help many, a significant number of patients continue to suffer from unresolved symptoms. For these individuals, DTEs are not just an alternative, they are the therapy that work best for them.

Removing access to DTEs is a devastating blow to the hypothyroid patients of Arizona.

Editor’s note: Angela Golden, DNP, FAANP is a family nurse practitioner, business owner and chief clinical officer. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.