Pill Clarity
May 1, 2025
Virtual event hosted by Vineyard Haven Public Library and Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program highlights urgent need for transparency in drug ingredients
Dr. Sachin A. Shah, PharmD, FACC, FAHA, CEO of Pill Clarity (formerly VeganMed), led a powerful virtual presentation on how patients and healthcare providers can safely navigate medications for those living with Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS). The talk, hosted by the Vineyard Haven Public Library in partnership with the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program, is now available to stream here.
AGS is a life-altering condition triggered by tick bites, causing allergic reactions to mammalian-derived ingredients—found not only in food, but also in many prescription and over-the-counter medications. In the presentation, Dr. Shah highlights that up to 75% of AGS patients may unknowingly suffer from reactions due to animal-derived excipients in their medications.
“Patients are doing everything right—avoiding red meat, reading food labels—but medications remain a blind spot,” Dr. Shah emphasized. “Without transparent labeling, people are at risk every time they fill a prescription.”
Key Topics Covered in the Presentation:
The science behind Alpha-gal Syndrome and its link to hidden medication ingredients
Real-world stories from patients suffering allergic reactions to common medications
How to identify animal-derived and carrageenan-based ingredients in prescriptions
Why transparency in medication labeling is a public health imperative
The role of Pill Clarity in helping patients and healthcare providers find safer, animal-free alternatives
About Dr. Sachin A. Shah:
Dr. Shah is a nationally recognized pharmacist, researcher, and professor of pharmacy at the University of the Pacific. With over 100 scientific publications and more than 1 billion media impressions in outlets like NPR and BBC News, Dr. Shah is leading the national conversation around medication transparency, especially for vulnerable populations.
About Pill Clarity:
Formerly known as VeganMed, Pill Clarity is a pharmacist-led medical information platform dedicated to ingredient transparency in medications. The organization empowers patients with food allergies, religious restrictions, and dietary preferences to make safe, informed choices. Its mission is to make medications safer, kinder, and more inclusive for everyone.
Watch Now:🎥 Virtual Presentation – Alpha-gal Syndrome & Medication Safety
📍 Hosted by Vineyard Haven Public Library and Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program
🌐 Learn more at www.pillclarity.org