Committee backs bill to allow prescribing and in‑state compounding of peptides

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee reported SB 253 favorable as amended on March 11, a bill authorizing prescribers to prescribe peptides and enabling Louisiana compounding pharmacies to compound them under board oversight.

Sponsor said peptides—short chains of amino acids—have expanding clinical uses and that the bill positions Louisiana to permit safe prescribing and local compounding. A board of pharmacy representative and other witnesses discussed sterility and testing requirements for compounding pharmacies; testimony noted there are now several 503A sterile compounding pharmacies across Louisiana capable of producing these medicines.

Committee adopted amendment 7-22 to allow Louisiana pharmacies to compound peptides and to provide a regulatory pathway that both enables access and preserves pharmacy oversight. The bill was reported favorable as amended by voice consent.