WEBINAR: The ABCs of the ADINA Act: Allergen Labeling, Bipartisan Action, and Congressional Change
This session examines how a bill becomes law through the lens of the ADINA (Allergen Disclosure in Non-food Articles) Act, including hearing from the family behind the bill.
Monday, May 19, 7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. ET
Speakers: Adina Togal, Jennifer Togal, Seth Togal, Stephanie Gadbois, and Rachael Prusi, PharmD, MSGH
Millions of people with food allergies depend on prescription and over-the-counter medications that may contain hidden common allergens. Without clear labeling, it’s often difficult to know exactly what’s in these medications—putting individuals with food allergy at risk for potentially serious reactions.
Panelists will guide attendees through the legislative process, highlighting the critical role that individuals and families can play in shaping public policy. This webinar will provide an overview of the ADINA Act, which calls for clear allergen labeling and transparency on medications and will explain why this step is crucial to preventing life-threatening allergic reactions.
Who should attend?
- Food allergy advocates wanting to learn more about the latest in food allergy federal policy, including the ADINA Act, and how they can support the passage
- Healthcare professionals seeking to better understand the ADINA Act and its potential impact
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the food allergy federal policy landscape.
- Understand the ADINA Act and its critical role in improving patient safety by ensuring allergen transparency in medications.
- Recognize the current limitations of allergen labeling in medications and identify the gaps that the ADINA Act seeks to address.
- Identify actionable steps to advocate for the ADINA Act and contribute to its passage, including practical ways to engage in the legislative process
About the Speakers
Adina, Jennifer, and Seth Togal
Adina Togal, Mom (Jennifer), Dad (Seth) and French Bulldog Coco reside near Minneapolis, Minnesota. Adina was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) and a dairy allergy at age eight. She and Seth both share additional food intolerances. Jennifer has a nightshade and penicillin allergy as well as EoE.
Since Adina’s diagnoses, the Togals have been on a mission to ensure not just her safety but to educate friends, family and the non-food allergy and celiac communities on how to best support someone with severe dietary restrictions. When Adina got sick at camp in 2022 from an undisclosed allergen/ingredient in medication she was given, they realized quickly how little the pharmaceutical industry is required to disclose about their ingredients. That event is what brought them on this overwhelmingly incredible and educational journey.
Adina enjoys spending time with her friends, playing board games, lacrosse, golf and drawing. Jennifer is the owner-operator of a local fine-art photography company and Seth is a private wealth advisor for a regional private bank.
Stephanie Gadbois, Vice President of Government Affairs, Capitol 6 Advisors
Stephanie serves as Vice President of Government Affairs for Capitol 6 Advisors. She brings more than two decades of senior-level Capitol Hill experience and draws on her deep and broad-ranging policy and appropriations expertise to assist clients in navigating federal legislative and regulatory matters.
Most recently, Stephanie served as the Staff Director and Majority Clerk for the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies of the House Appropriations Committee, a position she held since 2019. Prior to this position, she served as Senior Counsel for the House Judiciary Committee from 2013 through 2019. Before joining the staff of the House Judiciary Committee, she served on the staff of various subcommittees of the House Appropriations Committee from 2008 through 2013, and she had been a Counsel for the House Agriculture Committee dating back to 2001.
An Ohio native, Stephanie holds a B.A. in English from Kent State University and a J.D. from the University of Toledo. She is a member of the Virginia Bar and resides in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband.
Rachael Prusi, PharmD, MSGH
Rachael Prusi, PharmD, MSGH, is a distinguished clinical pharmacist with over 15 years of professional experience. Rachael's clinical expertise spans a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings, including internal medicine, emergency medicine, cardiology, and cardiothoracic surgery at several academic medical centers. She has been a preceptor for over 200 pharmacy students and residents, serving in roles such as residency coordinator, residency program director, and former Director of Pharmacy Education at the University of Chicago Medicine. In addition to her clinical work, Rachael is actively involved in public health initiatives after completing her Master's degree in Global Health from Northwestern University in 2018. She serves on the board of Hillside Health Care, a nonprofit organization supporting the Toledo district of Belize, and was the in-country volunteer Director of Pharmacy from 2015-2016. Rachael transitioned to managed care in 2021, taking on the role of Director of Pharmacy for the Upper Peninsula Health Plan. In 2024, she became the Director of Clinical Specialty Solutions at Prime Therapeutics, where she advises clients on medical pharmacy strategies to develop evidence-based and cost-efficient approaches to improve population health.
Beyond her professional achievements, Rachael is a dedicated parent to a child with severe food allergies. She brings a unique perspective to her work, understanding the challenges of navigating life with food allergies both as a caregiver and a medical professional.