The following is the text of a letter written by the State and Local Public Officials Mercury-Free Caucus to the U.S. FDA.
To: Jeff Shuren, M.D., J.D., Director, Center for Devices & Radiological Health, U.S. Food & Drug Administration
Dear Dr. Shuren:
Once again, FDA has failed to act on mercury amalgam. Indeed, you are ignoring your own scientists. In December 2010 the Scientific Advisory Panel that you convened advised that you stop amalgam use for children and pregnant women, insisting that mercury-free dental materials be used.
Facing intense public demand for FDA to cease 35 years of inertia on amalgam, you stated at your September 2011 town meetings -- four times -- that FDA intends to make an announcement on amalgam by the end of 2011. One may view a video of your statement at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2t0J2_1yr0 . But FDA never made any announcement.
In an insult to the public -- and to you too -- FDA’s front office says no announcement on amalgam is coming, and FDA has no timetable to act on amalgam.
Is FDA shelving any action on amalgam? If so, a public explanation is due forthwith.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Pritt, former State Senator (WV), Caucus Chair
Kevin J. Biggers, former Member, Dental Board of CA
Charles G. Brown, former Attorney General (WV)
Chester Clark, D.D.S., M.P.H., Mayor, Amity (AR)
Lujene G. Clark, former Councilwoman, Carthage (MO)
Ann Clifton, former Assessor, Thurston County (WA)
Barbara Dively, Member, Governor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities (PA)
Jay Goyal, State Representative (OH)
Karen Johnson, former Senator & former Representative (AZ)
Daylin Leach, State Senator (PA)
Mark A. Mitchell, M.D., M.P.H., former Director, Hartford Health Department (CT)
Jessica Saepoff, D.D.S., Commissioner, Dental Quality Assurance Commission (WA)*
Marvin Van Haaften, former Director, Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy (IA) and former Sheriff of Marion County (IA)
Chester Yokoyama, D.D.S., former Member, Dental Board of CA
* The views of Commissioner Saepoff do not necessarily reflect the opinions held by other members of the Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission.
February 7, 2012