As wildfires tore through Los Angeles in early January, firefighters faced an onslaught of toxic exposures from burning homes, businesses, and vehicles.
In the aftermath, nonprofit organizations stepped in to offer firefighters a breathing treatment—glutathione—an antioxidant that some medical experts believe could help people’s bodies repair cells damaged by carcinogens they’ve been exposed to.
However, NBC 4 reports, access to this treatment has been heavily restricted by the California Board of Pharmacy, which has essentially restricted administration of glutathione to inside a clinical setting. While other states allow the drug to be prescribed and taken at home, California rules are unusually restrictive.
Glutathione, a naturally occurring antioxidant in the body, is allowed by the FDA, but is not an approved drug. Pharmacists are hoping to convince the state to ease restrictions on the drug.
