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Effort to convert Pa. distilleries into hand sanitizer facilities taken on by lawmakers

Several lawmakers have teamed up to remove regulatory barriers preventing more than 130 small craft distilleries in Pennsylvania from producing hand sanitizer during the coronavirus pandemic.

>>STORY: Local distillery plans to make hand sanitizer during coronavirus outbreak

State Sens. Vincent Hughes and Tim Kearney and U.S. Reps. Mary Scanlon and Brendan Boyle worked with a Philadelphia-based distillery owner to coordinate efforts statewide.

Together, they worked to remove regulatory restrictions from the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of the Treasury, as well as to secure startup capital to convert the distilleries and supply them with necessary ingredients and packaging.

>>STORY: Distilleries using high-proof alcohol to make hand sanitizer

“This exemplifies the best of us as Pennsylvanians. We have leaders, businesses and investors working together to keep businesses open and employees working, all to produce products to help keep our people safe,” Hughes said.

Cassell said the first sample could be available as early as Friday.