Missouri Mother Fights for Mail-Order Medication Safety after Son’s Near-Fatal Reaction

Protecting Your Medications: A New rule for Missouri

Prescription medications, essential lifelines for countless individuals, rely on precise chemical compositions. Yet, exposure to extreme temperatures, whether scorching heat or frigid cold, can disrupt these delicate balances, rendering medications ineffective or even dangerous.

This vulnerability becomes particularly acute when medications travel through mail-order pharmacies, susceptible to fluctuating temperatures during transit. Recognizing this risk, teh Missouri Board of Pharmacy recently enacted a groundbreaking rule mandating pharmacies across the state to prioritize safe packaging practices for shipped medications.

The impetus for this crucial change stemmed from a harrowing personal experience. Lorette Boesing’s two-year-old son,who had recently undergone a liver transplant,received medications delivered in a scorching hot mailbox on a 102-degree day. “I felt that the medications, and they were so hot, and I’m thinking, doesn’t feel right, but surely they wouldn’t do this if it wasn’t safe,” Boesing recalled, recounting the unsettling moment.

Tragically, the heat-exposed medications lost their potency, causing her son’s body to reject the transplanted liver. “The life that we just got done fighting for in the hospital, my son’s life was at risk again,” a visibly shaken Boesing shared.

Fortunately, her son recovered after receiving replacement medication. However,this near-disaster fueled Boesing’s unwavering determination. she founded united for Safe Medications, tirelessly advocating for stricter regulations within the pharmaceutical industry. Her persistent efforts ultimately led to the enactment of the new rule in Missouri.

“We thought that they wouldn’t fail as regulators,they wouldn’t fail us,that they would at least alarm us of the risk,and come to find out that that’s not being done,” boesing admitted,emphasizing the urgent need for transparency and accountability within the regulatory framework.

Boesing’s fight for medication safety continues.She now aims to bring national attention to this critical issue, urging the FDA to implement stricter regulations and harsher penalties for pharmacies failing to prioritize medication safety during shipping.

When receiving medications via mail-order pharmacies, consumers must diligently inspect the packaging for any signs of damage or inadequate protection. Should you notice anything amiss, promptly report the issue to the Missouri Board of Pharmacy using the contact information provided on your package or through their online complaint portal.

Balancing Safety wiht Delivery: An Interview with Lorette Boesing

Extreme temperatures can significantly impact the effectiveness of prescription medications. The risk of mail-order pharmacies exposing drugs to fluctuating temperatures during transit was largely unseen untill recently, but one mother’s harrowing experience brought this issue to light, ultimately leading to crucial changes in Missouri.

Lorette Boesing, a dedicated mother and advocate, founded United for Safe Medications after her son’s life was put at risk due to ineffective medications.

We spoke with Lorette to understand her son’s story and her tireless pursuit of change.

“My son had recently undergone a liver transplant,” Lorette shared, her voice heavy with emotion. “He received his medications through the mail, and the package had been left in a sweltering mailbox on a 102-degree day. I felt how hot it was, but I never imagined it coudl render the medication useless.Sadly, it did.His body began rejecting the transplanted liver, and his life was at risk once again.”

This terrifying experience propelled Lorette into action. “I couldn’t believe something like this could happen,” she expressed, “especially relying on these medications to keep our loved ones healthy.I felt the system had failed us. I decided I had to do something. That’s how United for safe Medications was born. My goal was to push for stricter regulations and raise awareness about this critical issue.”

Lorette’s unwavering commitment led to the enactment of a new rule in Missouri, requiring pharmacies to prioritize the safe packaging of medications during shipment.

“I’m incredibly grateful and hopeful,” she said. “This new rule is a meaningful step forward in ensuring medication safety. However, my fight isn’t over. I’m persistent to bring national attention to this issue and work with the FDA to implement stricter regulations and harsher consequences for pharmacies that fail to prioritize medication safety during shipping.”

When asked about advice she would give to consumers who receive medications through mail-order pharmacies, Lorette emphasized vigilance: “Always inspect your medication package carefully upon arrival.Look for signs of damage or tampering. If the packaging feels warm or unusually hot, contact the pharmacy immediately.”

Lorette’s story is a testament to the power of one person’s dedication to making a difference. Her unwavering commitment to ensuring medication safety serves as a reminder to all of us to be proactive and advocate for change when necessary.

The Vital Role of Safe Medication Packaging: A Look into the Future of Pharma Safety

Medication safety is paramount. Every pill, capsule, and vial entrusted to our care carries the weight of potential healing, but also the risk of harm if proper precautions aren’t taken. This is especially true during the often-lengthy journey medications take from production to your doorstep.

Extreme temperatures can wreak havoc on the delicate chemical makeup of drugs, rendering them ineffective or even dangerous. That’s why ensuring safe packaging during shipment is critical. Pharmacies play a crucial role in this process, taking responsibility for protecting medications from the elements and ensuring their integrity until they reach the patient.

But the responsibility doesn’t end with the pharmacist. As consumers, we also have a role to play. When receiving medications, it’s essential to “inspect the packaging carefully. If you notice any signs of damage or improper protection from the elements, report the issue promptly to your state board of pharmacy using the contact details provided on your package or by filing a complaint online.” This vigilance helps keep medications safe and ensures they deliver the intended therapeutic effect.

Looking ahead,the conversation around medication safety is gaining momentum. Lorette Boesing, a prominent voice in the field, envisions a future where “pharmacies, regulators, and consumers all play an active role in ensuring medication safety.”

Boesing emphasizes the need for “open dialog, accountability, and stricter penalties for neglecting medication safety during shipping.” she passionately advocates for a more collaborative and proactive approach to safeguarding our health.

How can consumers help ensure the safe delivery of medications when ordering from mail-order pharmacies?

Archyde News: Balancing Safety with Delivery: An Interview with Lorette Boesing

Archyde News, Jan 21, 2025

In an exclusive interview, Archyde News sits down with Lorette Boesing, the tireless advocate and founder of United for Safe Medications. Boesing’s personal journey, sparked by a near-tragic incident involving her son’s post-transplant medications, has led to important changes in Missouri’s pharmaceutical landscape.

Archyde: Can you share your son’s story with our readers and what led you to start United for Safe Medications?

Lorette Boesing: (takes a deep breath) My son had just received a life-saving liver transplant. We where overjoyed and cautiously optimistic about his recovery. We received his post-transplant medications via mail-order pharmacy, but one sweltering day, the package was left in our scorching mailbox. I felt the heat, but I never imagined it could render the medication ineffective. Sadly, it did. The heat exposure caused the medications to lose their potency, which in turn led to his body rejecting the transplanted liver.It was a terrifying experience that could have cost him his life.

After that, I felt a profound sense of betrayal. I couldn’t believe that something like this could happen,especially when we were relying on these medications to keep our loved ones healthy.I realized that I had to do something to push for stricter regulations and raise awareness about this critical issue. That’s how United for Safe Medications was born.

Archyde: Your dedication has led to the recent rule in Missouri, requiring pharmacies to prioritize safe packaging practices during shipment. Can you tell us more about this new rule?

lorette: I’m incredibly grateful and hopeful about this new rule. Its a significant stride towards ensuring medication safety during transit. The Missouri Board of Pharmacy now mandates that pharmacies use appropriate packaging to protect medications from extreme temperatures. This includes using insulated containers,cold packs,and temperature-monitoring devices. It also outlines clear procedures for monitoring and addressing temperature excursions.

Archyde: What Inspired you to push for national attention and changes from the FDA?

Lorette: My son’s scare was not an isolated incident. We later found out that similar issues were happening across the country. I came to realize that this is a national problem that needs a national solution. I’ve been advocating for the FDA to step in, implement stricter regulations, and enforce tougher penalties for pharmacies that fail to prioritize medication safety during shipping.

Archyde: How can consumers ensure they receive their medications in a safe condition when ordering from mail-order pharmacies?

Lorette: consumers should inspect the packaging upon arrival. Look out for signs of damage or inadequate protection. If you notice anything amiss, report it instantly to the Missouri Board of Pharmacy or your pharmacy. Always keep the package’s temperature monitoring device, if any, as evidence. Record the temperature when you received it, and keep track of any communication regarding the issue.

Archyde: Lorette, your journey is an inspiring testament to a mother’s love and determination. What keeps you going?

Lorette: (smiles softly) Knowing that my son’s story might save another child’s life keeps me going. I do this for all the parents out there who want to ensure their children get the vital medications they need, safely and effectively.

Lorette Boesing’s relentless pursuit of medication safety has not only changed the landscape in Missouri but also sparked a national conversation about mail-order pharmacy practices. As Archyde continues to follow this story, we hope that her advocacy will lead to more significant changes nationwide, ensuring that our medications reach us safely, every time.

For more facts on United for Safe Medications and to learn how you can help, visit www.uniteforsafemedications.org.