MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'continuing medical education'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:07:58 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5078036&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F0pYjzQ4aXt4%2F Earlier this month, the Florida Department of Health filed an administrative complaint against Peter Gleason, a physician, in connection with his 2006 arrest for off-label marketing of the Xyrem cataplexy drug, which is used to treat a sudden loss of muscle tone associated with narcolepsy. His talks were funded by Orphan Medical, which was bought by Jazz Pharmaceuticals. He recently pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor with no intent, sentenced to one year of probation and paid a $25 fine. However, the state failed to note one important detail - Gleason died this past February. The 57-year-old physician recently saw his medical licenses suspended in Pennsylvania and California, and the accumulated weight of the events apparently led him to commit suicide, according to his sister. We left mess... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5078036 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:44:42 +0100 5078036 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008658&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FohGRELOf3NY%2F As drugmakers reevaluate their sales and marketing spending in the US, those dollars are being shifted to Asia, notably China, and Latin America. For instance, spending on meetings and other events rose slighty more than 5 percent worldwide last year to $13 billion. And this amounts to 14 percent of global spending on marketing, according to Cegedim Strategic Data. The growth in meetings and events was largest in China, where spending rose 19 percent, and Latin America, where the increase amounted to 18 percent. Spending in Japan was 14 percent. But spending in the US fell by 17 percent and Europe saw a decline of 7 percent. The trend is hardly surprising, especially given the industry emphasis on these regions. Meanwhile, worldwide spending on sales teams and other marketing channels rose... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008658 Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:45:50 +0100 5008658 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4984686&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F69M-eNcvLh4%2F As they say, every little bit counts. And so drugmakers may be heartened to hear that the perception held by physicians of the pharmaceutical industry has actually improved this year - 58 percent of docs say they have a somewhat positive or extremely positive overall impression. This is, however, up just 2 points from last year. But this is also the first time since 2004 that a positive impression increased. Consumers, on the other hand, are heading in other direction - 46 percent have an extremely or somewhat negative impression this year, up 1 point from last year. Overall, one could argue the bottom line tallies for both groups is largely static, although perhaps docs are most sensitive to new approval and R&D issues, while consumers tend to focus on safety and price. The responses... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4984686 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:56:33 +0100 4984686 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968914&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FaEr37LbJgo4%2F The ongoing controversy over industry sponsorship of continuing medical education took a new turn this week when delegates to the American Medical Association annual meeting voted to restrict support from entities or individuals that have financial interests in the subject matter. In other words, the delegates decided there should be little or no commercial support and those who are tapped to teach the material should not have any financial relationship with a drug or device maker. Danny Carlat, a psychiatrist who was once an industry speaker but now derides industry-sponsored CME, calls this vote “huge” (see here). However, an AMA spokeswoman says not so fast, or words to that effect. In a phone conversation, she says the language adopted by the delegates is open to interpreta... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968914 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:23:12 +0100 4968914 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934401&cid=t_97930_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.drmalpani.com%2F2011%2F06%2Findian-doctors-learning-and-cme.html In reality, all learning is self-learning. We talk about teaching doctors to help them keep uptodate, but in reality, no one can teach anyone else - it's only the student who can learn ! A good teacher will provide as many avenues and opportunities as possible, so that students can learn for themselves.Adult learners are a different breed - and this is especially true for doctors, who are highly qualified and very busy professionals, with major time constraints.Not only is it hard for them to take time out of their busy schedules to learn, it's even more important for us to ensure that whatever techniques we use to teach doctors, these are proven to be effective in helping doctors to improve their knowledgebase.Unfortunately, lectures and presentations at medical conferences are very ineff... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934401 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 03:25:00 +0100 4934401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911819&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FpiJzMoYrTX4%2F And yet another country wants to get tough on the interactions between docs and drugmakers. This time, India’s Department of Pharmaceuticals is proposing an updated Uniform Code of Marketing Practice for drugmakers that would tighten rules on doling out samples and encounters between docs and reps. The revised code, which is voluntary, would also improve procedures for reporting complaints. Among the dictums: the code requires employees who draft promotional materials to be familiar with the rules; promotional material such as mailings and journal ads must not be designed to disguise their real nature, and sales reps “must not employ any inducement or subterfuge to gain an interview. They must not pay, under any guise, for access to a healthcare professional.” In general,... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911819 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:01:56 +0100 4911819 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4795055&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FqED4wPpJkto%2F In an effort to “strengthen the firewall” between accredited continuing medical education and pharma promotion, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education is proposing a policy change that would prohibit corporate logos or mention of specific corporate divisions from appearing in commercial support disclosure statements. Why consider such a change? Right now, industry logos may occupy a prominent spot on a web page that offers a course and is sponsored by a drugmaker. For instance, take a look at an online course at Medscape called Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder, which is paid for by Eli Lilly. Some may consider such displays as being too overtly commercial. And so the revised policy would, presumably, minimize such impressions. The ACCME i... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4795055 Fri, 06 May 2011 14:31:39 +0100 4795055 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4794897&cid=t_97930_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F06%2Fblurring-sponsorship-advertising-disclosures%2F Many companies sponsor things, and in the world of mental health and psychiatry, those companies tend to be pharmaceutical. Sponsorships help promote a company’s brand (and, indirectly, the products they sell). Since I believe — like most mental health professionals — that most people benefit from a combination of both medications and psychotherapy in the treatment of serious mental disorders, I see the value of many pharmaceutical companies’ products. However, as we putter along in this age of the Internet, I’ve seen a disturbing trend toward blurring the line between editorial content and advertising. And now I see, thanks to a blog entry this week by Dr. Danny Carlat, that this trend is being promulgated by one of the very organizations responsible for over... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4794897 Fri, 06 May 2011 14:30:00 +0100 4794897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4318384&cid=t_97930_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fquality-certification-for-primary.html " On Sunday, the quasi-governmental organization, Quality Control of India, will introduce the accreditation process with the first stop of healthcare for most consumers: neighbourhood doctors. “Once the government passes the Clinical Establishments Act, it will be binding on all healthcare providers to seek accreditation,’’ said QCI secretary general Dr Giridhar Gyani. How will Cliniq 21st help patients ? It will mean that a doctor with the brand has been attending continued medical education (CME) lectures, he or she will provide health checkups for his/her staff and the clinic will have minimum required emergency care equipment and the place will be fumigated once a week. “Once patients or their relatives see this Cliniq 21st board outside a doctor’s chamber or a clinic, they ... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4318384 Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:02:00 +0100 4318384 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4302172&cid=t_97930_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fimproving-standards-for-indian-doctors.html On Sunday, the quasi-governmental organization, Quality Control of India will introduce the accreditation process with the first stop of healthcare for most consumers: neighbourhood doctors. "Once the government passes the Clinical Establishments Act, it will be binding on all healthcare providers to seek accreditation," said QCI secretary general Dr Giridhar Gyani.How will Cliniq 21st help patients? It will mean that a doctor with the brand has been attending continued medical education (CME) lectures, he or she will provide health checkups for his/her staff and the clinic will have minimum required emergency care equipment and the place will be fumigated once a week. "Once patients or their relatives see this Cliniq 21st board outside a doctor's chamber or a clinic, they can expect a cer... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4302172 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 05:48:00 +0100 4302172 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159241&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmore-doctors-are-refusing-industry-perks-and-gifts%2F2010.11.12 Physicians and particularly primary care doctors are reporting fewer industry ties than five years ago, according to a survey. While 94% of doctors reported some type of perk from a drug or device maker in 2004, 83.8% did in 2009, researchers reported in the Nov. 8 Archives of Internal Medicine. Researchers surveyed a stratified random sample of 2,938 primary care physicians (internal medicine, family practice, and pediatrics) and specialists (cardiology, general surgery, psychiatry and anesthesiology) with a 64.4% response rate. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at ACP Internist* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159241 Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:00:00 +0100 4159241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3943027&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FSj9Ap47wFKo%2F Here’s a reason to expect drugmakers to lust after continuing medical education. A new survey finds that 71 percent of doctors who absolutely refuse to see pharma sales reps will break down and interact with them or attend presentations sponsored by drugmakers while at a CME event. “It’s all about personal choice and about being in the mindset,” says Sam Bishop, research director at Pri-Med, a CME provider that surveyed about 1,100 mostly primary care physicians at seven different CME events last spring. “They’re open, in these situations, to gathering information.” Of course, Pri-Med has a vested interest in publicizing the findings - it heightens the value CME has to pharma. That said, how likely are these docs to make use of what they hear in t... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3943027 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:02:41 +0100 3943027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3907780&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fr3X_-REYm-Q%2F We spend a fair amount of time on this site tracking the controversy over continuing medical education and the extent to which industry may unduly influence the physician mindset. For the second year running, though, a drugmaker - it happens to be Pfizer - is underwriting an extensive seminar on cancer issues for journalists that is organized by the National Press Foundation. Here are the basics: the NPF is awarding 15 fellowships to journalists who will attend a four-day session in October on cancer issues that will be presented by several experts (you can read more here). The idea, says Bob Meyers, the NPF prez and a former editor and reporter for The Washington Post, is to give journalists a chance to learn needed info about complex subjects, especially at a time when media resources ar... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3907780 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:12:01 +0100 3907780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3868802&cid=t_97930_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fhow-patients-can-help-doctors-with-cme.html For most doctors, keeping uptodate means participating in continuing medical education ( CME) programs by attending conferences or reading medical journals.I feel a much better way today is to publish your own website and encourage online patients to ask you questions !When you answer these, you will end up learning a lot ! Some questions can be very sophisticated; and many internet positive patients are very intelligent and well-informed. They have done a lot of research and will often cross-question and challenge your authority.This is very helpful if you are willing to keep an open mind !Some of them will help you to question traditional wisdom; while others will encourage you topush the envelope and try out new unconventional stuff in their quest for the best medical care !Answering qu... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3868802 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 04:33:00 +0100 3868802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3827345&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FTP0trINh5Nk%2F Joining a small, but growing list of academic institutions, the University of Minnesota has adopted new rules governing conflicts of interest for its med school employees, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune writes. The ethics policy overhaul is part of a university-wide effort, but the new rules are tougher for faculty and staff at the Academic Health Center, which includes the schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and colleges of Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine. “The feeling was that the bar needed to be higher for people who come in clinical contact with patients and others,” Frank Cerra, the U’s senior vp for health sciences, tells the paper. “I think it’s a good policy. The move comes a year after the med school was the target of a congressional inquiry into ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3827345 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:11:20 +0100 3827345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3776612&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FaBixXSE3HwE%2F Two more colleges are in the process of restricting funding from industry. Harvard Medical School will prohibit its 11,000 faculty from giving promotional talks for drug and device makers and accepting personal gifts, travel, or meals, The Boston Globe writes. And Central Michigan University may not accept money upcoming continuing medical education programs, according to Central Michigan Life. The Harvard will also place strict limits on income faculty can earn from companies for consulting, joining boards, and other work; require public reporting of payments of at least $5,000 on a med school website; and promise more robust internal reporting and monitoring of these relationships. Harvard will also create a firewall between health care companies during these courses. One target is Pri-M... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3776612 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:36:16 +0100 3776612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3710794&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FKwcRo-0Wqew%2F Continuing medical education is always controversial, given concerns over undue industry influence on medical practice. But CME roared back into public view earlier this month when several leading policy makers and physicians – including the National Institutes of Health director – publicly objected to a rule promulgated by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, which would prevent doctors from receiving needed credit for attending medical meetings where industry people talk about their drugs. The issue came up when the American Heart Association planned a “vigorous” appeal, although the two groups last week resolved their differences (see this). We spoke with Murray Kopelow, who heads the ACCME, about the latest flap and the CME controversy. This is an excerpt... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3710794 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:23:09 +0100 3710794 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695808&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FFoSny4-5AJQ%2F The debate over industry funding of continuing medical education took a tense turn earlier this month when the American Heart Association promised to aggressively appeal a rule that would prevent doctors from receiving needed credit for attending medical meetings where industry people talk about their drugs (see background). Specifically, AHA president Clyde Yancy was incensed that the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education told him his organization shouldn’t have industry speakers at any scientific sessions at its upcoming annual meeting. The ACCME policy was set in 2004 and updated last year, but his vow to appeal undescored opposing views over industry influence on post-graduate medical education and whether it has gotten out of hand. The issue, in fact, will be de... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695808 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:11:38 +0100 3695808 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3666222&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FCsHzfWRr9U4%2F Amid the controversy over financial conflicts of interest and academic researchers, the Advisory Committee to the National Institutes of Health director late last week included a lengthy discussion of the issue. NIH director Frances Collins, in fact, confirmed the agency may change a rule allowing academics to receive NIH grants after switching university jobs, even though sanctions were imposed on a previous university employer because of undisclosed financial conflicts. What followed, however, was equally interesting. Keith Yamamoto, executive vice dean of the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, pointed out that the American Heart Association is being prevented from allowing pharmaceutical industry employees make any presentations duing the scientific sessions of... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3666222 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:19:40 +0100 3666222 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3159975&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F1fen-5bCfpE%2F Stanford University will develop new continuing medical education programs for doctors without influence from drugmakers and plans to do so with a $3 million grant from…Pfizer, according to The New York Times. Phil Pizzo, the Stanford medical school dean, insists the drugmaker will have no say on how the three-year grant will be spent. Stanford signaled its intent to restrict CME financing in 2008 (see here). The university plans to set up unbiased programs of postgraduate education on its campus rather than industry-selected topics that are typically presented to doctors at hotels and resorts. “It’s a fundamental change,” he tells the Times, and he criticizes the pharmaceutical industry for poisoning educational programs with marketing messages and doctors for “complicity”... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3159975 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:40:34 +0100 3159975 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3106769&cid=t_97930_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2F20%2Fmental-health-year-in-review-2009%2F Another year is over, and so brings us to the close of another year of great stories, great friends, and great insights into the world of psychology — our annual Year in Review of Mental Health. Conflicts of Interest, Lawsuits and Transparency Perhaps 2009 will be noted as the year of reckoning for pharmaceutical companies, who have not enjoyed good press this year. In January, we noted how Eli Lilly settled a Zyprexa lawsuit for $1.4 billion with 30 states due to its off-label marketing of the atypical antipsychotic drug for use in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Philip over at Furious Seasons puts the total Zyprexa tab at $2.8 billion with settlements with 39 states, with another 6 states pending. Keeping in mind that Zyprexa has had $37 billion in sales since its introduc... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3106769 Sun, 20 Dec 2009 10:55:38 +0100 3106769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3084776&cid=t_97930_88_f&fid=38153&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ozemedicine.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D844 The Victorian State Trauma System (VSTS) outreach program (VSTOP) has been developed to promote the VSTS across Victorian hospitals. It provides clinicians not working at a major trauma service (MTS) with an opportunity to observe trauma patient management at a MTS. The MTSs are The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The Alfred and the Royal Children’s Hospital. See this link for more information (Source: Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia) Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3084776 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:14:36 +0100 3084776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056886&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FIq5TRgT3rT0%2F The Canadian Medical Association is being criticized for agreeing to accept $78,000 in funding from Pfizer’s Canadian subsidiary to create continuing medical education programs (here is the CMA statement). Several prominent physicians argue the CMA may cross ethical lines in ways that could negatively influence treatment decisions. “Partnering with a pharmaceutical company sends the wrong message to doctors – that we don’t have to pay for our continuing education, that it’s the responsibility of others. This is unlike how any other profession deals with continuing education,” Joel Lexchin, a health-policy professor at York University in Toronto, tells us. “The sponsorship provided by Pfizer sets up a ‘gift relationship’ between Pfizer and the docto... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056886 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:46:17 +0100 3056886 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989404&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fzswmw_VDGYI%2F The health care reform bill passed by the House would force drugmakers to disclose how much they spend on continuing medical education classes for docs, although the Senate version doesn’t include such a requirement, according to The Wall Street Journal. The paper notes this comes as for-profit CME firms experience falling revenue. The Senate’s Special Committee on Aging, meanwhile, is investigating industry-funded CME, the Journal continues, and John Kamp, who heads the Coalition for Healthcare Communication, wrote Kohl the committee “should consider elimination of certified CME reporting in all versions of health-care reform bills because they are unneeded, redundant and needlessly expensive.” The group is sponsored by the American Association of Advertising Agen... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989404 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:43:03 +0100 2989404 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2882995&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fnemeroff-seroquel-and-accme.html Roy Poses has discussed the atypical antipsychotic drug Seroquel (quetiapine) several times on this site, pointing out manipulation of clinical research results to enhance the appearance of efficacy, and suppression of studies with unfavorable results. I call this augmenting the marketed profile of the drug. Daniel Carlat has commented on published Seroquel data here and ClinPsych here.AstraZeneca, the marketer of Seroquel, has also been busy with continuing medical education (CME) programs that augment Seroquel’s profile. Last December 8, one such program went on line, aired by the provider CME Outfitters. The program’s title was “Atypical Antipsychotics in Major Depressive Disorder: When Current Treatments Are Not Enough.” The corporate logo for CME Outfitters is Education with I... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2882995 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:32:00 +0100 2882995 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2757824&cid=t_97930_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2F02%2Fa-how-to-guide-to-getting-doctors-to-prescribe-your-drug%2F Lexapro is an antidepressant medication that is pretty much the equivalent to the now-generic version, Celexa. It is primarily prescribed to treat depression by primary care physicians and psychiatrists. It is a popular antidepressant. And it’s also a big money maker for its manufacturer, Forest Laboratories. So you have to wonder, how do drug companies “educate” docs about the greatness of their products? How does one get an antidepressant to become “popular.” Embarrassing documents released through an investigation by the Senate’s Special Committee on Aging into the drug manufacturer’s marketing practices describes the process in grueling detail: Under “Lunch and Learns,” the company intended to spend $36 million providing lunch to doctors ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2757824 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:20:51 +0100 2757824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2660724&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fblogscan-more-on-senate-hearings-on.html There has been considerable coverage of the remarkable hearings by the US Senate Special Committee on Aging on industry funded continuing medical education (CME). See reporting by Dr Daniel Carlat on the Carlat Psychiatry Blog, and by the Prescription Project on their Postscript Blog. See also the comments by Dr Howard Brody on the Hooked: Ethics, Medicine and Pharma blog. Some key points were that the Senators failed to see why physicians cannot afford to pay for their own CME, and therefore must depend on corporate funding to support; and the Senators failed to buy the argument that medical progress vitally depends on health care corporations paying for and influencing the education physicians get. (Source: Health Care Renewal) Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2660724 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:12:00 +0100 2660724 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2653698&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fblogscan-live-blogging-senate-hearing.html Dr Daniel Carlat is live-blogging the US Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing on conflicts of interest and continuing medical education. (Source: Health Care Renewal) Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2653698 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:27:00 +0100 2653698 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2386951&cid=t_97930_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F05%2F04%2Finstitute-of-medicine-report-on-conflicts-of-interest%2F The Institute of Medicine has released a broad-reaching report recommending a number of changes to be implemented in an effort to stop conflicts of interest between doctors, researchers and drug makers. The summary of the recommendations are: 1. Drug companies must disclose any payments they make to doctors, hospitals, and many other institutions. [...] 2. Doctors should no longer accept any free meals, gifts or other items from companies. [...] 3. Doctors must not participate in speakers bureaus for drug companies. 4. Doctors must not do clinical research if they have a financial interest in the outcome of the research. [...] 5. Revamp the system of continuing medical education (CME) so that there is no more industry influence in the content. Dr. Carlat ends with the conclusion, &#8220... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2386951 Mon, 04 May 2009 10:22:21 +0100 2386951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2306984&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fblogscan-mysterious-disappearance-of.html On the Carlat Psychiatry Blog, Dr Daniel Carlat discussed the mysterious disappearance of a report by the AMA's Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs (CEJA) which recommended the end of commercial funding of continuing medical education (CME). The report was tabled, and is now no longer available on the AMA web-site. (Although, it has not completely vanished off the webs. See the comments on Dr Carlat's post.) Meanwhile, the AMA has posted a series of "fact sheets" from their National Task Force on CME Provider/Industry Collaboration which seem notably friendly to "collaboration" among educators and industry. (Source: Health Care Renewal) Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2306984 Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:24:00 +0100 2306984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2137522&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fpaying-more-for-worse-outcomes-wyeth.html The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel just published a remarkable investigative report about continuing medical education courses provided (after a fashion) by the University of Wisconsin. Here are the main points,The course was created by a medical education and communications company (MECC), paid for by WyethThe course material was developed largely by DesignWrite, a New Jersey-based firm paid by Wyeth.The company is being investigated along with Wyeth by a U.S. senator looking into the practice of ghostwriting in scientific articles as a way to market hormone therapy drugs.Together, Wyeth, DesignWrite and UW formed the Council on Hormone Education - the name of the educational organization stamped on course material for the class.Thirty-four of the 40 council member physicians have financial t... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2137522 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:41:00 +0100 2137522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1889091&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F425091070%2F The doctors’ group, which boasts 12,000 members, has joined a growing number of academic medical centers, professional societies and legislators that have decided gifts from the pharmaceutical industry are questionable, if not unacceptable forms of influence. The Wisconsin Medical Society adopted a policy on October 11 that says: “Physicians shall accept no gifts from any provider of products that they prescribe to their patients such as personal items, office supplies, food, travel and time costs, or payment for participation in online continuing medical education. A complete ban eases the burdens of compliance, biased decision making, and patient distrust.” This is the complete policy, which was disclosed this past Thursday. In a statement, WMS president Steven Bergin s... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1889091 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 02:21:44 +0100 1889091 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1879800&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fblogscan-industry-sponsored-scholarly.html On the Carlat Psychiatry Blog, Dr Daniel Carlat discussed a new apparently scholarly peer-reviewed journal devoted to studies of continuing medical education. However, the journal seems to be funded by a group of pharmaceutical companies, published by a medical education and communications company (MECC), and edited by the Vice President of a for-profit medical education assessment company. A majority of the editorial board appear to work for the pharmaceutical industry, MECCs, and related businesses. (Source: Health Care Renewal) Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1879800 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:28:00 +0100 1879800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1847902&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fanother-industry-supported-physician.html The President of the American College of Cardiology (ACC), W Douglas Weaver MD, has written a second editorial on relationships between the ACC and industry, continuing medical education, and conflicts of interest. In his first editorial [ Weaver WD. President's page: disclosures, transparency, and firewalls protect integrity. J Am Coll Cardiol 2008; 52(11): 964-965. Subscription required.] his major points were:Major activities of the ACC require industry funding - "the Annual Scientific Session would not be possible in its current form if it were not for industry grants and fees from the Exposition.""Firewalls" provided by the society prevent influence by industry on educational or scientific programs -Let me assure you that we have very strong firewalls around industry support.As part o... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1847902 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:36:00 +0100 1847902 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1833424&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F402957103%2F Nothing like scandal, litigation and bad press to get the pharmaceutical industry to consider changing its practices. Over the past few months, one drugmaker after another has promised - in varying degrees - to disclose info about payments to docs and campaign contributions, publish more clinical trial data or end support of third-party continuing medical education. Two days ago, Lilly promised to reveal payments to docs and touted its clinical trial registry (back story here, here and here). Glaxo vowed to disclose educational and charitable grants, as did Pfizer, which is also ending support for third-party CME. And AstraZeneca is disclosing political donations, grants to medical education and contributions to non-profits. Today, Merck has joined the party. The drugmaker issued a stateme... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1833424 Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:51:18 +0100 1833424 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1785857&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fcommercial-funding-of-cme-and.html There has been quite a bit of discussion lately about how industry funding influences continuing medical education. One of our industrious scouts pointed out one of the most recent entries in this discussion, an article on this subject by the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Dr Anthony N DeMaria [DeMaria AN. Continuing education, industry, and physicians. J Am Coll Cardiol 2008; 52: 1035-1036. Link here.]Dr DeMaria confessed to "very mixed feelings" about the move to end commercial support of CME. He felt that such commercial support did some good.This support has been estimated to amount to nearly $1 billion per year and has enabled us to have the breadth and depth of learning opportunities we currently enjoy.Although he acknowledged that commercial su... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1785857 Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:48:00 +0100 1785857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1759835&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fblogscan-more-on-jama-commentaries-on.html We recently blogged about Dr Marcia Angell's commentary about how the increasing influence of those with vested interests in selling products or services has "broken" the clinical research system. In the same issue of JAMA were two other commentaries. For further discussion of Dr Arnold Relman's call to end industry influence on continuing medical education, see this post by Dr Daniel Carlat in the Carlat Psychiatry Blog. For further discussion of all three JAMA commentaries, see this post by Merrill Goozner on the GoozNews blog. (Source: Health Care Renewal) Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1759835 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:29:00 +0100 1759835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1733833&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fblogscan-stanfords-cme-money-goes-into.html On the Carlat Psychiatry Blog, Dr Daniel Carlat analyzed the new Stanford policy that would direct all commercial funds supporting continuing medical education (CME) into a single pool. As Dr Carlat pointed out, the devil may be in the details of this policy, which still allows connection of funding to some (admittedly broad) particular clinical categories. Furthermore, although the policy would apparently sever direct connections between funding from particular companies and particular CME courses, I do not see how it could prevent informal communications between commercial sponsors and academics that could shape the subject matter and content of these courses. Such communication is now easy since so many medical faculty already have financial relationships with specific drug, device, bio... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1733833 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:28:00 +0100 1733833 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1734257&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F375170986%2F Concerned about the influence drugmakers may have on medical education, the renowned institution is expected to announce today that it will severely restrict industry financing of doctors’ continuing education at its medical school, according to The New York Times. The move comes amid growing criticism that industry-sponsored CME is designed to promote specific products, while pharma maintains its money is intended solely to keep doctors up to date. To sort it out, Stanford plans to announce that it will no longer let drug and device makers specify which courses they wish to finance. Instead, companies will be asked to contribute only to a schoolwide pool of money that can be used for any class, even ones that never mention products, the Times writes. With its approach, Stanford becomes... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1734257 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:17:34 +0100 1734257 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1726573&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F371947236%2F The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, you may recall, recently proposed new rules to further limit interactions between accredited providers and commercial supporters. And the ACCME also issued a ‘call for comment’ until Sept. 12 on a proposal for a new model of commercial support, all of which you can read about here. Not surprisingly, some CME companies are alarmed and so one firm, Professional Postgraduate Services, is circulating an e-mail urging others to write the ACCME in support of continued commercial funding for independent medical education. Of course, anyone can write in to say ‘yea’ or ‘nay.’ Here is the PPS note… Subject: Your Urgent Response Needed to Keep CME Funding Intact Dear Colleague, As a participant in ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1726573 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:19:05 +0100 1726573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1717883&cid=t_97930_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D247 My original piece on Integrative Baloney@Yale was posted on May 16th, after I got back from a visit there. The talk I gave there included a short video. My movie, Integrative baloney@Yale, was made entirely from clips taken from Yale’s own YouTube movies which showed something approaching three hours of its “1st [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1717883 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:11:16 +0100 1717883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1655671&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F345775154%2F We spend an awful lot of time on this site detailing (pun intended) how drugmakers provide various forms of funding to doctors, particularly continuing medical education. The issue is controversial, as you may know, because it speaks to influencing what is supposed to be independent medical judgment. So we are surprised to see that Unity, a minority journalism group, allowed Novo Nordisk to sponsor and organize a seminar at its latest convention in Chicago. The drugmaker hosted a lunch yesterday called “The Diabetes Explosion: A Call to Action for Journalists of Color.” And Novo Nordisk makes and markets diabetes products. What’s wrong with that? Journalists should do their best to remain free of influence. We do not wish to moralize, but Unity should have known better. I... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1655671 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:48:40 +0100 1655671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1645912&cid=t_97930_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F07%2F22%2Finterview-with-psychiatrist-daniel-carlat-md%2F This report on medical education was about two years in the making and they also recommended that continuing medical education no longer be funded by the pharmaceutical industry, basically saying that the marketing aims of drug companies have become overly intertwined with continuing medical education. These physician groups were both saying that have lost control of the content of their accredited medical education, and that we need to take that control back. I’m not talking about promotional talks here—I’m talking about accredited, Category One CME, which is the credit doctors need in order to maintain their medical licenses in most states. So this type of education is really is a big deal, and has implications for the wellbeing of out patients. Aside from these two reports othe... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1645912 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:00:35 +0100 1645912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1642616&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fblogscan-who-actually-organizes-medical.html On the Carlat Psychiatry Blog, Dr Daniel Carlat delved more into the role of medical education and communication companies (MECCs) in medical education. He found a MECC prospectus for a psychiatry conference ostensibly presented by a very prestigious medical school. In it, the MECC solicited "independently supported symposia," and offered to prepare for such symposia "enduring materials," which appear to be polished monographs, which can be read for CME credit. The charge to the sponsor for preparing such an article was a cool $103,000. Funny, I used to think that doctors and medical academics put together medical conferences and continuing medical education. But look through the section on "partner responsibilities" in the MECC's prospectus, and see how little there is for the prestigious... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1642616 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:31:00 +0100 1642616 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1564174&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F324957686%2F In what may be a first, the drugmaker will still support continuing medical education courses at academic institutions, teaching hospitals and those supported by medical societies, but no longer directly support CME courses offered by for-profit medical-education and communication companies, Dow Jones reports. Why? A Pfizer exec says by ending the payments, the drugmaker hopes to avoid the appearance of any conflicts of interest. As you know, industry-supported CME courses for doc have been under fire as ploys to promote meds, rather than purely educational events. Here is the Pfizer statement. A Senate Finance Committee report last year concluded pharma used educational grants totaling $1 billion annually to increase market share, including promotion of off-label usage. “The reason ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1564174 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:05:45 +0100 1564174 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1546979&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F320814914%2F The ongoing concerns over how CME is used to propel prescriptions has attracted the attention of Herb Kohl, a Democrat from Wisconsin who heads the Special Senate Committee on Aging. In a June 20 letter to the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, he asks the group to provide info about its accrediting process; the criteria used to validate course content; safeguards against undue industry influence and any plan the ACCME has to keep pharma in a manageable corner. Here is the letter. (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1546979 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:23:01 +0100 1546979 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1526774&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F314727162%2F A majority of Americans - 68 percent - support legislation to require drugmakers to disclose gifts and payments to docs, according to a new survey by the Prescription Project. Americans also disapprove of many types of gifts and payments to docs, support legislation that would allow clinical experts to provide unbiased drug info to doc in the form of academic detailing, and think pharma has a moderate to extremely large influence on prescribing patterns by docs. Other findings: 52 percent say accepting gifts from pharma influences how docs make prescribing decisions and another 26 percent believe gifts have a moderate influence. 86 percent believe free dinners should not be allowed; 80 percent believe speaking fees shouldn’t allowed; 78 percent believe free lunches at the office shou... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1526774 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:08:25 +0100 1526774 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1522437&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F313156450%2F UPDATE as of 4 pm: The American Medical Association’s house of delegates this afternoon decided a proposal to rid medical education of industry funding needs more review. The controversial proposal was made by the AMA’s Council on Judicial and Ethical Affairs to end pharma funds for residency positions and clinical fellowships; educational programs, such as live or web-based CME; physician speakers’ bureaus; and travel, lodging, and amenities for CME participants. Other recommendations include a ban on industry gifts, meals and detailing at med schools, and an unspecified effort to secure non-commercial funding sources. One exception was suggested for training in new diagnostic or therapeutic devices and techniques, because industry reps may have to play an educational role a... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1522437 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:05:21 +0100 1522437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1516506&cid=t_97930_109_f&fid=34800&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FClinicalPsychologyAndPsychiatryACloserLook%2F%7E3%2F311231151%2Fmore-than-filling-my-shoes.html I'll be on hiatus for a while. Too many things to do in too little time. Fortunately, material that is right in the sweet spot for readers of this site can be found at: Carlat Psychiatry Blog. His takedown of Medscape is much needed, as is further digging into ye olde coverup of industry cash by child psychiatry key opinion leaders.PsychCentral. Who cares about St. John's Wort for ADHD? JAMA seriously published a small trial of SJW versus placebo. I thought JAMA was for higher importance issues -- and so did John Grohol at Psych Central.Furious Seasons. Overdiagnosis of ADHD? Not a new complaint, but interesting perspective is provided by a Canadian psychologist who thinks the ADHD label is being passed about unnecessarily in Canada. I hope to return soon. (Source: Clinical Psychology and ... Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry: A Closer Look blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1516506 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:44:00 +0100 1516506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1466014&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fblogscan-on-physician-payment-sunshine.html On the Carlat Psychiatry Blog, Dr Daniel Carlat discussed the Physician Payment Sunshine Act. This proposed legislation would mandate disclosure by drug companies of all payments over $500 made to physicians for speaking, consulting, travel, etc. Dr Carlat, however, noted an important loophole. The legislation would not cover payments made to medical education and communication companies (MECCs) to put on continuing medical education (CME) activities. Pharmaceutical, biotechnology and device companies often sponsor CME produced by MECCs. Such CME, even though it may be accredited, may be done more for marketing than educational purposes. But payments to physicians by MECCs made with money supplied by industry would not need to be disclosed according to the present form of the bill. Dr Carl... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1466014 Fri, 23 May 2008 19:00:00 +0100 1466014 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1420437&cid=t_97930_109_f&fid=34800&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FClinicalPsychologyAndPsychiatryACloserLook%2F%7E3%2F283912792%2Fin-name-of-science-and-charity.html Philip Dawdy at Furious Seasons has noted that Eli Lilly released a short report in which they describe the funding they provided to a variety of organizations. All in the name of science and charity, of course. Beneficiaries of Lilly's largess include:The American Psychiatric Association Massachusetts General Hospital's Psychiatry Department National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Medscape American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Center for Medical Knowledge Continuing Medical Education, LLC Institute for Continuing Healthcare Education Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Postgraduate Institute for Medicine University of California -- Irvine These were just some of the big recipients. The report itself is well worth checking out. One will note that Lilly is kindly fundin... Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry: A Closer Look blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1420437 Mon, 05 May 2008 12:34:00 +0100 1420437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1408234&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Faamc-report-on-medical-schools-industry.html The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) just unveiled a report on relationships among academic medical institutions and the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and device industry. The report was notable in its toughness in certain areas, laxity in others, and for what it did not mention, and what kinds of conflicts of interest it actually encouraged. Where it was tough:It advocated banning "acceptance of any gifts from industry by physicians and other faculty, staff, students, and trainees...."It considered "industry supplied food and meals" as "personal gifts" which should be therefore banned (but see below).It advocated prohibiting "physicians, trainees, and students from directly accepting travel funds from industry." (But see below.)It advocated prohibiting "physicians, trainee... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1408234 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:12:00 +0100 1408234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1382349&cid=t_97930_109_f&fid=34800&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FClinicalPsychologyAndPsychiatryACloserLook%2F%7E3%2F272885550%2Fkey-opinion-leaders-osteoporosis-vioxx.html Remember Richard Eastell? To summarize briefly, he is a professor at Sheffield University who was lead author on a publication that showed positive results for the osteoporosis drug Actonel. One problem: the data did not actually provide good news for Actonel. In a key graph in the published paper, 40% of patient data was missing. Now that's an interesting form of science: Just eliminate the pesky 40% of the data that don't go along with your hypothesis and POOF!, you get exactly the results you are looking for. An excellent writeup of the situation can be seen in Jennifer Washburn's excellent piece in Slate. Making the plot more interesting, Eastell did not have the raw data; Procter & Gamble's (Actonel's sponsor) statisticians were in charge of the analysis. Hence the missing 40% of ... Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry: A Closer Look blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1382349 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:10:00 +0100 1382349 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1366895&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F268380895%2F File this under ‘Say Uncle.’ A dozen drug and device makers have told Chuck Grassley, the Iowa Republican, that they have plans or are working on plans to publicly disclose grants to outside groups, and the details will be provided on each company’s Web sites, the Associated Press reports. In particular, Grassley is interested in money spent on continuing medical education. Recently, Grassley asked 15 companies whether they planned to do what Lilly does, which is disclose its grants to such programs. And the responses are in. They are wide-ranging and sometimes vague, but mostly what the senator wanted to hear - many say they will go beyond disclosing CME grants and will also disclose payments to patients advocacy groups such as the American Heart Association or the Ameri... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1366895 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:48:41 +0100 1366895 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1349851&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F264024334%2F In the latest issue of Medical Meetings, Donna Beales, the CME coordinator at Lowell General Hospital, in Lowell, Massachuesetts, and the editor of Journal of Hospital Librarianships, offers what she admittedly calls a “provocative plan” for making continuing medical education more palatable for all concerned. But in her view, the consequences for failing to do anything will only lead to more trouble. This is an excerpt… “The cat is out of the bag,” she writes, “Powerful factions of the US economy have discovered that the practice of medicine and the commercial interests of pharmaceutical and medical device companies - and opportunistic individual physicians - don’t mix. If there was any doubt whatsoever about the extent of this problem, the recent... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1349851 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:47:19 +0100 1349851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1331368&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fsmoked-out-funding-lung-cancer.html A few weeks ago, we posted about conflicts of interest affecting a widely publicized study of using CT scans to screen for lung cancer. The study, basically a large case-series, was susceptible to multiple kinds of study bias that challenged its validity. Yet its authors used this limited and flawed data to strongly advocate such screening. Two lead study investigators, Dr Claudia Henschke and Dr David Yankelevitz of Weill Medical College of Cornell University, held multiple patents on technology used for the screening, and had licensed one patent to General Electric, a manufacturer of CT scans, and exchanged another for rights in a start-up manufacturer of lung biopsy devices. They did not disclose these conflicts in the articles they published describing study results, including one in t... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1331368 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:36:00 +0100 1331368 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1307879&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F253001643%2F Last November, Bayer suspended marketing of its troubled med, which is used to control bleeding during heart surgery, after a Canadian study suggested an increased risk for death. Then, we learned the FDA received 235 reports noting death in patients who received Trasylol, although a conclusive link wasn’t established. None of this, however, deterred Bayer from sponsoring a continuing med ed program in December. (Look here). The point of the CME was to dissect a meeting last September of an FDA advisory committee, which voted to allow Trasylol to remain on the market after pondering data that linked the drug to a higher risk of death, kidney failure, congestive heart failure and stroke. This followed accusations Bayer hid adverse safety data, which were denied. Not surprisingly, the ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1307879 Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:41:29 +0100 1307879 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1300630&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F250708914%2F Two months ago, the Oregon Academy of Family Physicians became only the second state chapter in the national Academy of Family Physicians to adopt a policy of eschewing financial support from pharma. As a result, the 1,300-member group no longer accepts any grants - restricted or unrestricted - for its continuing ed seminars or allows drugmakers to take booths in its exhibit hall during conferences. And there are no pharma ads in its publication. Of course, this may prove to be a financial risk. Who wants their dues to rise, after all? So we asked executive director Kelly Gonzales to tell us how the move has, so far, been received… Pharmalot: Why did your organization take this step? Gonzales: It was a little bit of wanting the academy to walk our own talk. We’d like our member... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1300630 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:58:20 +0100 1300630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1287822&cid=t_97930_109_f&fid=34800&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FClinicalPsychologyAndPsychiatryACloserLook%2F%7E3%2F247408754%2Flink-o-rama-early-march-edition.html A few pieces of interesting news...Dr. Daniel Carlat has been busy. He aptly notes that Pristiq is an Effexor copycat that apparently provides no special benefits over soon to be generic venlafaxine. Hey, didn't I just write a piece or two about Effexor? In addition, Carlat continues to hammer the corrupting, I er, continuing medical education industry. He also documents the use of deceptive "surveys" to market antipsychotics. Excellent work -- keep it up! Dr. Grohol at PsychCentral pointed out another set of potential problems with the surveys. Furious Seasons puts forth Ye Olde Pimp Slappe on antidepressant use in bipolar disorder with a side dish of I Told You So. He has indeed questioned the use of antidepressants in bipolar disorder and the latest data continue to question the utility... Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry: A Closer Look blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1287822 Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:31:00 +0100 1287822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1223667&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fblogscan-contrasting-approaches-to.html On the Carlat Psychiatry Blog, Dr Daniel Carlat contrasted approaches to commercial funding of continuing medical education (CME) at two different academic medical centers. His earlier post noted that at Sloan-Kettering in New York, commercial funding of CME has been banned. On the other hand, his next post noted that at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, the psychiatry department developed the "MGH Psychiatry Academy," to actively solicity big-time money from pharmaceutical companies. Whose programs will feature fancier venues, better food, and more high-tech graphics? Whose programs would you trust more? (Source: Health Care Renewal) Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1223667 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:48:00 +0100 1223667 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1222433&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F233121262%2F When Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City stopped accepting commercial support for its continuing medical education activities last January, many at the institution had their doubts that the program would survive, writes Meetings Net. Most of the staff was surprised at the decision, since participants hadn’t reported perceiving commercial bias in Sloan-Kettering programs. “Our staff was very worried that this would deep-six the CME program,” says Thomas Fahey senior vp of the clinical program development at MSKCC, and chairman of the CME committee. But “we really needed to be squeaky clean and certain that there was no commercial support for our CME activities that could be construed as influencing the program.” One year later, CME at Memorial Sloan-Ket... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1222433 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:51:11 +0100 1222433 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1217906&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fwhat-are-those-consulting-fees-and.html Widely reported in the media were two large settlements reached by Merck & Co and federal prosecutors. As described by AP,In Philadelphia, prosecutors said Merck agreed to pay $399 million for improper calculation of Medicaid rebates and bribing doctors. In New Orleans, prosecutors said the drugmaker agreed to pay $250 million for its rebate practices. With interest, that totals $671 million. The settlement is the third largest ever for health care fraud, behind a $900 million case involving hospital operator Tenet Healthcare Corp. and a $730 million case involving hospital chain HCA, according to the group Taxpayers Against Fraud.Whitehouse Station, N.J.-based Merck said the settlements do not constitute an admission of any liability or wrongdoing.'What we have here is a disagreement ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1217906 Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:56:00 +0100 1217906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1181622&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fblogscan-cme-talks-by-hired-gun-md.html On the Carlat Psychiatry Blog, Dr Daniel Carlat recounted the career of a "hired gun, MD" who earned an estimated $3 million total from honoraria giving pharma sponsored talks. Is this any way to provide continuing medical education? Would you trust a talk given by such a hired gun? Would you recognize a CME talk given by such a hired gun? (Source: Health Care Renewal) Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1181622 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 22:43:00 +0100 1181622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1173111&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fblogscan-conflicts-of-interest-cme-and.html On the Carlat Psychiatry Blog, Dr Daniel Carlat reported an alternative take on the Macy Foundation report which called for the abolition of commercial funding of continuing medical education (CME). (See Dr Carlat's earlier post on this report here.) In a seminar on medical ethics, Harvard University's Neurologist-in-Chief, Dr Martin Samuels, trashed the Macy report on the basis of, you guessed it, conflict of interest. He charged that one of the members of the conference that produced the Macy report was a top executive of UpToDate, a medical education and communication company (MECC) that makes its money by selling subscriptions, not from drug companies. Meanwhile, Dr Carlat also reported that Dr Samuels was praising yet another MECC, Pri-Med, for which he happens to direct a neurology c... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1173111 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:00:00 +0100 1173111 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1173145&cid=t_97930_109_f&fid=34800&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FClinicalPsychologyAndPsychiatryACloserLook%2F%7E3%2F221656786%2Fkey-opinion-leaders-continuing-medical.html Psychiatrist Bernard Carroll has another brilliant post on corrupt, er, continuing medical education (CME) and how the process has been co-opted by various commercial interests. His post a few days ago was certainly great, and in combination with his current post, I officially declare that Bernard Carroll is ON FIRE!Here's a bit of what he had to say. Commit this paragraph to memory:Medical journals are not the only compromised medium. Continuing Medical Education (CME) is a second front in the campaign to expand the AAP [atypical antipsychotic] drug market. The standard formula calls for corporate sponsorship channeled through an “unrestricted educational grant” to a medical education communications company (MECC). The MECC employs writers to prepare the “educational content,” and... Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry: A Closer Look blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1173145 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:52:00 +0100 1173145 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1162032&cid=t_97930_145_f&fid=35710&url=http%3A%2F%2Fksdescartin.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F01%2F18%2F8-am-stop-for-medicine-20-blog-carnival%2F First off, I’d like to thank Berci Mesko of Scienceroll for inviting me to host the 17th Edition of Medicine 2.0 Blog Carnival. His work on organizing information and translating it to all of us as a fun read in his blog is remarkable. I am personally learning a lot and getting personally updated on the new “stuff” because of this. Next, thanks to Jeoffrey Leow of Monash Medical Student for hosting the 16th Edition. For those who have submitted over the weeks, thanks and see you all this Sunday the 20th. I will be putting up this week’s final Carnival post at 8 a.m. Central Time (Houston, Texas). I am still open for submissions till the 19th, Saturday at 8 a.m. Central Time. You may use this submission form. All the best! (Source: the story of healing) the story of healing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1162032 Fri, 18 Jan 2008 22:11:12 +0100 1162032 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1149648&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fblogscan-macy-foundation-reports.html On the Carlat Psychiatry Blog, Dr Daniel Carlat discussed a report sponsored by the Macy Foundation that suggests ending all commercial support of continuing medical education (CME). A summary of the report is here, and should be required reading. (Source: Health Care Renewal) Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1149648 Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:13:00 +0100 1149648 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1091332&cid=t_97930_109_f&fid=34800&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FClinicalPsychologyAndPsychiatryACloserLook%2F%7E3%2F199751075%2Fkey-opinion-leader-provides-false.html Discussion that continuation of risperidone augmentation therapy was not more beneficial than placebo, and hence the working hypothesis was disproven...I would like to thank the reviewers and the editors of Neuropsychopharmacology for having the courage to allow us to publish this negative finding. Compare and contrast: Nemeroff's presentation indicates that the study was a controlled trial showing that risperidone was more effective than placebo. The lead author admits that the study was a "negative finding" and that risperidone was "not more beneficial than placebo."To summarize, Nemeroff did the following:Claimed that a peer-reviewed study showed risperidone improved sexual functioning, when the effects of treatment on sexual functioning were not even mentioned in the paper.Claimed that... Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry: A Closer Look blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1091332 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:05:00 +0100 1091332 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1082057&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fblogscan-aids-pundits-and-ties-to-big.html On the Hooked: Ethics, Medicine and Pharma blog, Dr Howard Brody wrote about his discovery of a web-site entitled, "AIDS Pundits and Ties to Big Pharma," or by its more economic URL, www.shillfactor.net. The site catalogs, with a degree of sarcasm, the multitudinous financial ties to pharmaceutical manufacturers and biotechnology companies of some of the big wigs in the AIDS/ HIV research and academic world. Some of the individuals have truly amazing numbers of consulting jobs, leading the site writers to speculate how they ever have time to see patients or fulfill their academic responsibilities. The site contains pages for people who "control research," "vote on new drugs," "set treatment specs," "educate the field," "write and report," and ironically, "once were activists." The site is ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1082057 Sun, 09 Dec 2007 18:55:00 +0100 1082057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1062875&cid=t_97930_145_f&fid=35710&url=http%3A%2F%2Fksdescartin.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F11%2F30%2Fteleread-today%2F   Some of my takes on e-Books: learning medicine and approaches to medicine 2.0, the dreams of sharing books and the joy of reading, and the beginning adventures and further explorations with the “E” is now up on Teleread. Thanks, David!   And, for the curious: Medicine 2.0 by Scienceroll Web 2.0 and Medicine Exploring Medical Librarianship & Web Geekery Medical 2.0 (Source: the story of healing) the story of healing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1062875 Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:43:38 +0100 1062875 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1040040&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fnature-takes-on-biases-of.html In Nature, a news article by Jim Giles focused on potential biases of pharmaceutical company funded continuing medical education (CME). We had previously posted about an illustrative case, in which GlaxoSmithKline funded speakers seemed to favor clinical policies which would promote increased use of its drug valacyclovir (Valtrex) for genital herpes infections. Giles also used that case for illustrative purposes in a sidebar entitled "Smokescreens." Giles then described two relevant, but unpublished studies. The first was by Jatinder TakharTakhar and her colleagues went on to develop a standardized checklist of potential problems to be used for measuring bias in CME, which they published in June (J. Takhar et al . J. Cont. Educ. Health Prof. 27, 118-123; 2007). The team then applied its ch... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1040040 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 21:48:00 +0100 1040040 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1040246&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F187821903%2F Can the pharmaceutical industry be trusted to fund compulsory education without introducing bias? We all know the issue is academics, drugmakers and, of course, docs. And the Senate recently released a critical report. However, Nature reports today that new preliminary data suggests industry-sponsored courses skew training material in favor of commercial interests. Jatinder Takhar, a psychiatrist who heads the CME office at the University of Western Ontario in Canada, grew interested in the issue after attending a CME presentation on antipsychotics that she’d audited and approved for her university. But she noticed a problem. “The slides had been changed,” she tells Nature. “The data were slanted and the presentation was more promotional and less educational” than it ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1040246 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:44:53 +0100 1040246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=991800&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fblogscan-porous-firewall-between-meccs.html On the Carlat Psychiatry Blog, Dr Daniel Carlat argues how porous is the firewall between commercial medical education and communication companies (MECCs) and commercial continuing medical education (CME) providers. (Source: Health Care Renewal) Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=991800 Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:52:00 +0100 991800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=906051&cid=t_97930_109_f&fid=34800&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FClinicalPsychologyAndPsychiatryACloserLook%2F%7E3%2F161592751%2Fanother-key-opinion-leader-contradicts.html It appears that Lindsay DeVane, who called his own continuing medical education article (appearing in CNS Spectrums) a "commercial piece of crap" has retracted his story (via the excellent Carlat Psychiatry Blog). Apparently, his take on the former "crap" piece has now changed to "there should be no question about the integrity of the CNS Spectrums publication as a CME activity" The article went from, in his own words, a "ridiculous text" to an article that reflects "the inherent limitations in providing practicing clinicians with fundamental descriptions of complicated issues." Is he implying that practicing clinicians lack the intellectual fortitude to understand "complicated issues," so he had to dumb it down to meet their limited capacity? Perhaps there is another interpretation.He als... Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry: A Closer Look blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=906051 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:41:00 +0100 906051 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=888598&cid=t_97930_145_f&fid=35710&url=http%3A%2F%2Fksdescartin.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F09%2F20%2Fan-evening-of-more-than-the-past-present-future-part-1%2F Yesterday, September 19th was the kick off for the series of lectures at the Continuing Studies program at Rice University. It was at Sewall Hall at the Rice Campus. Dr. Denton A. Cooley, the pioneer of human heart transplant in the United States, still observably sprightly at 87, was the lecturer for the day. He is currently president and surgeon-in-chief at the Texas Heart Institute; program director for the Texas Heart Institute/Baylor College of Medicine Thoracic Residency Program; and chief of cardiovascular surgery at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital. Here are some of my notes on this experience. Dr. Cooley, His Influences, and The People He Worked With He performed the first successful human heart transplant in the United States in 1968. In 1969, he became the first heart surgeon to ... the story of healing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=888598 Thu, 20 Sep 2007 19:25:33 +0100 888598 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=858286&cid=t_97930_109_f&fid=34800&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FClinicalPsychologyAndPsychiatryACloserLook%2F%7E3%2F154622117%2Fcme-key-opinion-leaders-and.html Continuing medical education continues to get slammed (1, 2), and somehow the name of Charles Nemeroff keeps finding its way into these incidents. I wrote last week that Nemeroff co-authored a CME piece, on which he failed to disclose a conflict of interest regarding CeNeRx, for whom he co-chairs the scientific advisory board. The conflict of interest that was not disclosed was quite relevant, as the CME article was a cheer piece for MAOI's, and it just so happens that CeNeRx is in the MAOI business.Daniel Carlat noted that another CME article upon which Nemeroff was an author has been criticized harshly; this one was dissed by one of its own authors. C. Lindsay DeVane, a coauthor, called it "a commercial piece of crap." Let me state this ever-so-clearly: An author called his own article a... Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry: A Closer Look blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=858286 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:06:00 +0100 858286 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=840784&cid=t_97930_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F152173312%2F That’s how C. Lindsay DeVane described his own ACCME-accredited article, which was published last May in the journal CNS Spectrums. DeVane, a psychiatry professor and vice chair of research in the clinical neuroscience division at the Medical University of South Carolina, offered this blunt assessment in an e-mail he wrote to Dan Carlat, an industry gadfly who blogs about CME issues. The reason for their exchange was Carlat’s recent fascination with the story behind the article, which was accredited and produced by i3 CME, a medical education company owned by Ingenix, and which was funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb. The article, which was about antidepressant drug-drug interactions, emerged from what was originally a televised roundtable but was adapted by medical writers to form ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=840784 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 19:22:37 +0100 840784 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=824607&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fblogscan-new-cme-policies-dissected.html On the Carlat Psychiatry Blog, this post dissects the new rules for providing continuing medical education (CME). My favorite was the re-definition of "commercial interest" that still does not define a for-profit medical education and communication company (MECC) as "commercial." (Source: Health Care Renewal) Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=824607 Mon, 27 Aug 2007 17:58:00 +0100 824607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=799204&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fblogscan-faults-of-cme-by-mecc.html On the Carlat Psychiatry Blog, this saltily titled post provides another good illustration of the faults of industry-funded, medical education and communications company (MECC) written continuing medical education (CME), in this case, pushing what would appear to be a particularly hazardous anti-depressant medication, a MAO inhibitor delivered by a patch. (Source: Health Care Renewal) Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=799204 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 20:05:00 +0100 799204 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=788145&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fblogscan-cme-as-stealth-marketing.html In the Carlat Psychiatry blog, this post shows a telling example of how pharmaceutical companies support continuing medical education (CME) which actually functions as stealth marketing meant to "prepare the ground" for new drugs. (Source: Health Care Renewal) Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=788145 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:57:00 +0100 788145 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=782916&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fblogscan-imagine-no-commercially.html On the Carlat Psychiatry blog, this post notes that the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the organization that accredits continuing medical education (CME) providers in the US, just might consider banning commercial sponsorship of CME. (Source: Health Care Renewal) Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=782916 Mon, 06 Aug 2007 17:51:00 +0100 782916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=773304&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fblogscan-how-meccs-tweak-cme-in-favor.html On the Carlat Psychiatry Blog is a post on the "tweaking" of CME published by a medical education and communication company (MECC) in favor of the produce produced by its commercial sponsor. (Source: Health Care Renewal) Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=773304 Wed, 01 Aug 2007 21:28:00 +0100 773304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=711661&cid=t_97930_109_f&fid=34800&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FClinicalPsychologyAndPsychiatryACloserLook%2F%7E3%2F130022638%2Fseroquel-for-everything-off-label.html Peter Rost has a trio of documents on his site regarding potential off-label marketing of Seroquel. As you may recall, I promised to track the Seroquel lawsuit saga that I am fairly certain will continue to unfold. Why the lawsuits? Partially due to allegations of off-label marketing. The latest chapter, from Rost's site, is that AZ appears to have sent out a letter to sales representatives asking them to inform doctors about "medical education" events. As you probably know by now, "medical education" is quite often drug company-speak for "advertising." (1, 2, 3 ).These "medical education" events were available via VHS, DVD, or webcast for doctors to view at their convenience. One event discussed Seroquel use in the young and the elderly, while another focused on Seroquel for bipolar depre... Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry: A Closer Look blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=711661 Mon, 02 Jul 2007 03:02:00 +0100 711661 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=682684&cid=t_97930_109_f&fid=34800&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FClinicalPsychologyAndPsychiatryACloserLook%2F%7E3%2F125977037%2Fbreath-of-fresh-air.html I am quite happy to introduce my readers to Daniel Carlat’s new blog, The Carlat Psychiatry Report. Dr. Carlat, as I’ve reported earlier, writes about psychiatry in a newsletter that provides continuing education for psychiatrists. He also had a recent piece in the New York Times decrying the influence of industry in continuing medical education. I’m a big fan of his work. There are few blogs that report critically on the sneaky marketing of the drug industry in psychiatry, and I strongly suspect that Carlat’s site is going to be a welcome addition to the blogosphere. I expect his writings will help detail the farce that medical education has become, where doctors are exposed to thinly veiled drug advertising which passes for education in order to keep doctors apprised of the “l... Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry: A Closer Look blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=682684 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 03:21:00 +0100 682684 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=675338&cid=t_97930_109_f&fid=34800&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FClinicalPsychologyAndPsychiatryACloserLook%2F%7E3%2F124967996%2Fadvertising-as-education-carlat-hits.html Daniel Carlat is the chief of the Carlat Report, a newsletter which provides CME credits for physicians and is (gasp) sometimes critical of the drug industry and its marketing practices.Carlat has an op-ed in the New York Times where he presents several examples of how drug companies, in the name of education, have misled physicians. I'd like to summarize what he wrote, but he really said it best. Please check it out. It covers a lot of important material in relatively few words. He also has a simple solution -- any CME paid for by drug companies should not count for educational credit for physicians. I couldn't agree more!As y'all know, I am highly critical of current CME practices, which allow physicians to maintain their medical licenses based upon their soaking up sugarcoated drug comp... Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry: A Closer Look blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=675338 Fri, 15 Jun 2007 02:30:00 +0100 675338 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=644902&cid=t_97930_109_f&fid=34800&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FClinicalPsychologyAndPsychiatryACloserLook%2F%7E3%2F120786789%2Fadvertising-as-education-cme-part-deux.html This article is derived from the planning teleconference “Evaluating the Evidence: Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE) and Beyond,” which was held on May 10, 2006, and was independently developed by the CME Institute of Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc., and Health and Wellness Education Partners (HWeP) pursuant to an educational grant from Pfizer and addition support from HWP Publishing Dr. Nasrallah is a consultant for, has received honoraria from, and been on the speakers/advisory boards for Abbott, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Pfizer, and Shire and has received grant/research support from AstraZeneca, Janssen, and Pfizer. Content development and writing support for this article was provided in part by an independent writer contracted by HWeP: Martin Kor... Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry: A Closer Look blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=644902 Wed, 30 May 2007 12:21:00 +0100 644902 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=628956&cid=t_97930_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fsenate-finance-committee-report-on.html Last month, an important report by the US Senate Finance Committee on pharmaceutical sponsorship of continuing medical education (CME) was released, but received almost no coverage. The only media coverage I could find was here on MeetingsNet.com. The report itself is here.The report was based on responses to questions made by 23 major US pharmaceutical manufacturers, and by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). Given the lack of coverage of this report so far, I will summarize the major points, using quotes from the report itself.Pharmaceutical Involvement in CMEPharmaceutical manufacturers fund educational programs that physicians and other health care workers attend, including programs used to fulfill their licensure requirements. These educational grants h... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=628956 Mon, 21 May 2007 18:52:00 +0100 628956