Post by medic09 on Mar 23, 2010 18:32:32 GMT -5
I suppose that many of you are concerned about hametz in medications on Pesah; even prescription medications. There are, as you know, printed guides out there with information regarding which medications contain hametz, and which do not.
I wouldn't try to convince anyone to change their approach to kashrut on Pesah, or any other time. But it is important to be well informed, especially for the sake of helping some of our patients and community members manage their medications.
I wanted to be sure that you are all aware that many rabbanim hold that prescription medications, if swallowed whole as a pill, require no change whatsoever. The severity of the illness is not a factor. If a medication (not necessarily vitamins or supplements) is prescribed by one's physician, is in pill form, and is swallowed as is, then according to this approach it does not matter at all if it contains hametz or not. This is how I was first taught many years ago by Rav Mordechai Eliyahu, it is the position of the CRC, and other poskim as well. This is how I instruct people in our beit midrash.
Again, I offer this information insofar as it may be useful when helping others manage their meds.
"All pill medication – with or without chametz – that one swallows is permitted. Vitamins and
food supplements do not necessarily fall into this category, and each person should consult
with their Rabbi."
The CRC position statement can be seen here: www.crcweb.org/Passover%202010/Updates%20page%20for%20online%20Pesach%20Guide.pdf
This may help some of you act wisely when helping Jewish patients manage their meds for the holyday.
May Hashem bless us all with a holy, excellent yom tov! ;D
I wouldn't try to convince anyone to change their approach to kashrut on Pesah, or any other time. But it is important to be well informed, especially for the sake of helping some of our patients and community members manage their medications.
I wanted to be sure that you are all aware that many rabbanim hold that prescription medications, if swallowed whole as a pill, require no change whatsoever. The severity of the illness is not a factor. If a medication (not necessarily vitamins or supplements) is prescribed by one's physician, is in pill form, and is swallowed as is, then according to this approach it does not matter at all if it contains hametz or not. This is how I was first taught many years ago by Rav Mordechai Eliyahu, it is the position of the CRC, and other poskim as well. This is how I instruct people in our beit midrash.
Again, I offer this information insofar as it may be useful when helping others manage their meds.
"All pill medication – with or without chametz – that one swallows is permitted. Vitamins and
food supplements do not necessarily fall into this category, and each person should consult
with their Rabbi."
The CRC position statement can be seen here: www.crcweb.org/Passover%202010/Updates%20page%20for%20online%20Pesach%20Guide.pdf
This may help some of you act wisely when helping Jewish patients manage their meds for the holyday.
May Hashem bless us all with a holy, excellent yom tov! ;D
