| In a letter dated Jan. 4, 2006, President George Kikano MD, on behalf of the AMC/NOMA Board of Directors and membership, outlined several key positions supported by the association relative to improving the safe use of prescription drugs. Most specifically, the dissemination of risk information directed from the agency to physicians was discussed. Suggestions for improvements to the FDA Web site for the purposes of data access were offered—both for health care providers and the public. Expansion of the information provided in “Dear Doctor” letters was suggested by usage of electronic means of communication made directly to physician’s email, on medical society Web sites and even downloads to personal digital assistants. Other recommendations included pharmaceutical representatives be kept informed on drug risks in a timely manner and passing that information on to physicians as well as major announcements of drug and device side effects prior to release of such information to the public. It was at the September meeting of the AMC/NOMA Board of Directors, initially, that the association agreed to adopt the AMA’s directives to the FDA, and discussed the creation of an ad hoc committee to take further action on the matter—such as the submission of comments. Please click on the link above to read the full text of the AMC/NOMA missive.
|