Leadership by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) led to American Medical Association House of Delegates (AMA/HOD) decisions to study the impact of direct-to-consumer advertising, and to oppose provisions of the USA Patriot Act which threaten patient privacy and interfere with the physician-patient relationship.
For immediate release:
June 30, 2005
Contact:
Kristin Kroeger Ptakowski, Deputy Executive Director
202.966.7300, ext. 108, kkroeger@aacap.org
Jim Wood, Director Development and Communications
202.966.7300, ext. 120, jwood@aacap.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Leadership by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) led to American Medical Association House of Delegates (AMA/HOD) decisions to study the impact of direct-to-consumer advertising, and to oppose provisions of the USA Patriot Act which threaten patient privacy and interfere with the physician-patient relationship.
Direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of pharmaceutical products increases the demand for specific medications. At the AMA HOD meeting last week, the AMA heard testimony from many delegates about the negative impact of DTC advertising on patients. As a result of this testimony and the AACAP resolution, the AMA will study the impact of DTC advertising on prescribing patterns, treatment compliance, and patient safety. The AACAP also asked the AMA to evaluate strategies to minimize the negative impact of DTC advertising of pharmaceutical products. In an additional report released on access to FDA data from clinical trials, the AMA called for "more active and directed post-marketing surveillance activities and mandatory postmarketing studies."
David Fassler, M.D., AACAP's delegate to the AMA HOD praised these actions, noting that pharmaceutical companies now spend over $4 Billion annually on direct to consumer advertising. In his testimony, he also cited research findings indicating that a majority of physicians think that DTC advertising causes patients to think medications work better than they actually do. He welcomed the AMA study, adding it will "help provide the scientific basis for our policy and advocacy initiatives in the area."
As the result of another AACAP resolution, the AMA HOD also approved a report advocating for changes to, or elimination of Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act, which permits government agencies to obtain confidential medical records and prohibits physicians from notifying the patient, thus threatening patient confidentiality and interfering with the physician-patient relationship.
Richard Sarles, M.D., AACAP President commended the decision and noted that, “Trust between a physician and his/her patient is essential. Physicians should not be forced to release confidential information without the consent or knowledge of the patient.”
Representing over 7,500 child and adolescent psychiatrists nationwide, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is the leading authority on children’s mental health. AACAP members actively research, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders affecting children, adolescents, and their families.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is the leading authority on children’s mental health. AACAP members actively research, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders affecting children, adolescents, and their families.
Our Facts for Families, available free of charge on the AACAP website, provide concise and up-to-date information on a wide array of issues relating to children’s mental health. Written in a simple, straightforward manner, these 88 one-page fact sheets are valuable to anyone raising or working with children. In addition, the AACAP routinely refers the media to expert spokespeople on child and adolescent issues, and sponsors The Campaign for America’s Kids – an initiative designed to fund an Advocacy Institute for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, with the goal of mental health for all children.
AACAP Mission: The Mission of the AACAP is the promotion of mentally healthy children, adolescents and families through research, training, advocacy, prevention, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment, peer support and collaboration.
