EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

1-1 Whereas, Steroid therapy is used to treat many illnesses including

1-2 ulcerative colitis, lupus, asthma, rheumatic fever, allergies and numerous

1-3 other problems with millions of prescriptions being written each year; and

1-4 Whereas, When prescribed and used correctly, synthetic steroid

1-5 hormones can work wonders and reduce side effects, but when safeguards

1-6 are ignored, serious problems can result, lives can be devastated and

1-7 fatalities can occur; and

1-8 Whereas, Steroid use is the most common cause of Cushing’s

1-9 syndrome, which affects almost every system in the body, and Dr. David

1-10 Orth of Vanderbilt University estimates that 250,000 people a year develop

1-11 Cushing’s syndrome from prolonged use of steroids; and

1-12 Whereas, Other serious side effects of steroid use include

1-13 hypertension, numerous skin problems, myopathy, suppression of the

1-14 immune response, depression, hair loss, arthritis, coronary artery disease,

1-15 osteoporosis, cataracts, sleep disorders, tremors, headaches, and growth

1-16 retardation in children; and

2-1 Whereas, Steroid-induced medical problems can mimic many other

2-2 medical conditions which often causes physicians to treat symptoms instead

2-3 of recognizing the underlying problem; and

2-4 Whereas, Manufacturers are not required to label the outside

2-5 packaging of their products as containing "steroid" ingredients, and

2-6 unsuspecting consumers are caught unaware of the possible side effects and

2-7 of the manufacturers’ recommended precautions regarding usage of these

2-8 medications; and

2-9 Whereas, Prescription medicines that contain steroid ingredients

2-10 include nasal sprays, eye drops, bronchial inhalers, skin creams, ointments

2-11 and lotions, and many physicians fail to inform their patients adequately

2-12 about steroids in their medications and the associated risks and

2-13 recommended precautions; and

2-14 Whereas, Many products that contain steroid ingredients are available

2-15 without prescription, such as many anti-wrinkle creams, and are used by

2-16 consumers without medical supervision and without knowledge that the

2-17 products contain steroids or why that fact is important; and

2-18 Whereas, Leslie W. Ortega of Las Vegas, Nevada, has founded the

2-19 Steroid Warning Network, a nonprofit organization devoted to providing

2-20 information and emotional support for those who suffer from steroid-

2-21 related medical problems, which is currently working for federal legislation

2-22 mandating the labeling of products that contain steroid ingredients; and

2-23 Whereas, The Steroid Warning Network has created an Internet

2-24 website whose address is lvrj.com/communitylink/steroidwarning that

2-25 disseminates this information internationally; now, therefore, be it

2-26 Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of Nevada,

2-27 Jointly, That the members of the 70th session of the Nevada Legislature

2-28 do hereby urge the Congress of the United States to adopt legislation

2-29 mandating that all products containing a steroid ingredient, including over-

2-30 the-counter products and prescription drugs, be externally labeled as

2-31 containing a "steroid" ingredient by the manufacturer and include inside the

2-32 packaging an insert of information regarding:

2-33 1. The percentage of each steroid contained in the product;

2-34 2. Possible adverse reactions and side effects related to the use of the

2-35 product, some of which may appear after cessation of its use; and

2-36 3. The smallest dosage judged to be effective with strong

2-37 recommendations regarding limited duration of use; and be it further

2-38 Resolved, That the Nevada Legislature hereby supports efforts of the

2-39 Steroid Warning Network to inform consumers of the problems related to

2-40 the use of products containing steroid ingredients and to assist those

2-41 already adversely affected; and be it further

3-1 Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit a

3-2 copy of this resolution to the Vice President of the United States as the

3-3 presiding officer of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of

3-4 Representatives, each member of the Nevada Congressional Delegation and

3-5 Leslie W. Ortega, Founder of the Steroid Warning Network; and be it

3-6 further

3-7 Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon passage and

3-8 approval.