Medication Safety
OTC Brand Name Confusion Policy 0106 03/01/2001 Introduced 02/01/2006 Revised 12/01/2010 Revised 04/07/2015 Reapproved | AMCP is concerned that a distinct brand name on an OTC product does not always refer to the same active ingredient(s). This inconsistent relationship between brand name and ingredients may be confusing to some patients and may lead to medication errors and adverse events. AMCP believes that the naming approach should be changed to avoid this confusion. In conjunction with pharmacists, physicians, and other health care professionals, product names and packaging should be adopted and designed to minimize confusion and prevent adverse outcomes.
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Regulation of Dietary Supplements Policy 0110 03/01/2001 Introduced 02/01/2006 Revised 12/01/2010 Reapproved | AMCP advocates the modification of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act or enactment of other legislation for all products falling under the Act, requiring that dietary supplement manufacturers provide evidence of product efficacy and safety, label products with full disclosure of all components (including source, strength, and recommendations for use), and implement a mechanism to remove promptly unsafe or ineffective products from the marketplace. AMCP encourages expansion of the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplement's Internet site to include reports of adverse health events from manufacturers, health care professionals, consumers, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
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Disposal of Needles and Syringes Policy 0113 11/01/2001 Introduced 11/01/2005 Reapproved 11/01/2009 Reapproved 02/21/2018 Reapproved | AMCP supports the development and implementation of safe systems and procedures for the disposal of used needles and syringes by patients outside of health care facilities. |
Restricted Distribution of Pharmaceuticals Policy 0119 11/01/2001 Introduced 02/01/2006 Revised 12/01/2010 Revised 04/07/2015 Revised 04/29/2020 Revised | AMCP generally opposes any restrictions on the distribution of pharmaceutical products either by the pharmaceutical industry or as a condition for FDA-approval. AMCP acknowledges that circumstances may occur with the use of specific medications that require special distribution, monitoring and management processes. As long as,
1. The requirements do not interfere with the continuity of care for the patient or limit patient access; 2. The requirements preserve the pharmacist-patient relationship and patient choice of pharmacy; 3. The requirements are based on evidence-based medicine, fully disclosed and evaluated by physicians, pharmacists, and others; 4. There is scientific consensus that the requirements are necessary and represent the least restrictive means to achieve safe and effective patient care; 5. The cost of the product and any associated product or services are identified for purposes of reimbursement, mechanisms are provided to compensate providers for special services, and duplicative costs are avoided; 6. All requirements are stated in functional, objective terms so that any provider who meets the criteria may participate in the care of patients; 7. The requirements do not interfere with the professional practice of pharmacists, physicians, or other appropriately qualified healthcare professionals; (The enumerated principles are drawn from ASHP Principles for Restricted Distribution Systems) |
Prescription Drug Importation
Policy 0302
02/01/2003 Introduced | Legislation or regulation that would permit the importation of prescription drugs presents potential patient safety issues. Allowing the importation of prescription drugs raises a challenge to ensure that quality assurance standards and supply chain integrity are maintained. There is scant evidence that importation will meaningfully impact the price of prescription drugs available to U.S. consumers, but ample evidence that it presents a clear threat to the security of our nation’s drug supply. AMCP will oppose legislation or regulation that would allow the importation of prescription drugs for sale in the United States until more conclusive data are available as to its likely impact.
(See also AMCP Managed Care Pharmacy Practice Positions - Prescription Drug Importation)
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