Monday, May 19, 2014

Why does an injection need to be kosher?


A GUEST POST BY "ON-THE-FRINGE"

May 14, 2014
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) today announced that the Orthodox Union (OU)has granted kosher certification to ELELYSO™ (taliglucerase alfa) for injection, an enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for the long-term treatment of adults with a confirmed diagnosis of Type 1 Gaucher disease. ELELYSO is the first prescription medication to be certified kosher by the OU, a milestone for the brand which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2012.”
I honestly cannot understand why an item that cannot be eaten or drunk and is not for use in food preparation, serving, or clean-up needs to have a hechsher (rabbinic seal certifying that it’s kosher). If someone would kindly explain this to me, I’d appreciate it.

I also can’t help wondering whether the decision to give a hechsher to an injectable medication is a slippery-slope decision. Will it now become the accepted procedure in some Orthodox communities to see only those health-care providers who are under rabbinical supervision?

Search for more information about ### at4torah.com

No comments: