Nontherapeutic problems of generic drugs lead to call for FDA, legislative diagnosis and cure
Article Abstract:
In recent months the manufacture, testing, FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval process, safety and efficacy of generic drugs have come under intense government scrutiny during Congressional hearings. Ultimately criminal charges were filed against a number of generic drug manufacturing companies and FDA employees and it is expected that tighter controls will be announced. After the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act was passed by Congress in 1984, the number of generic drugs available on the market soared by 300 percent. The FDA, which is not funded to make on-site spot checks, was flooded with requests for approval from generic drug companies. Despite the suspicions that have been raised, the FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services assert that there is no evidence that the quality of generic drugs has been compromised and advise physicians to continue prescribing them to their patients. Currently the Department of Health and Human Services plans to investigate the 30 most commonly prescribed generic drugs and the 20 companies producing the largest numbers of generic drugs. Although health insurers encourage the use of generic drugs because of their cost-effectiveness, some physicians have questioned their efficacy. This summer the American Academy of Family Physicians presented a two year study which states that generic substitution does not necessarily represent the same chemical agent in the same dosage form found in brand-name drugs. Future Congressional hearings investigating the manufacture of generic drugs are scheduled.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1989
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Guns, drugs threaten to raise public health problem of violence to epidemic
Article Abstract:
Excessive violence may replace drug use as the biggest public health issue of the 1990s. Violence is increasing even though drug use is decreasing. This is largely because of the availability of more dangerous guns, such as repeating pistols, which can hold 10 or more cartridges. These guns are also more accurate and easier to use. In addition, many individuals are more likely to use guns to settle a fight. Drugs are often involved in many violent episodes. Violence often occurs as drug dealers battle for customers. Users must sometimes commit violent acts to get money to buy drugs. Certain drugs, such as crack cocaine and amphetamines, make the user paranoid and hostile. Babies born to drug-addicted women are an example of indirect drug-related violence. Reducing access to drugs may be more effective than treating those who are addicted.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Increasing use of computerized recordkeeping leads to legislative proposals for medical privacy
Article Abstract:
Congress is considering two bills that would protect the confidentiality of electronic medical records. No data should be collected without the informed consent of the patient. Informed consent should also be required if the information is used for a purpose other than that for which it was collected. Some observers do not believe either the Medical Records Confidentiality Act or the Health Information Confidentiality in the Age of New Technology Act provide adequate safeguards against unauthorized use.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Vision-related problems may offer clues for earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Consensus statements: applying structure
- Abstracts: Psychiatric management of cancer pain. Continuity of care for the cancer patient with chronic pain. Controversies in cancer pain: medical perspectives
- Abstracts: Benzodiazepine prescription regulation: autonomy and outcome. The medical outcomes study
- Abstracts: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura first seen as massive vaginal necrosis. A clinical-pathologic study of mixed muellerian tumors of the uterus over a 16-year period - The Medical College of Georgia experience
- Abstracts: Fertility after ectopic pregnancy. The risk of pregnancy after tubal sterilization: findings from the U.S. Collaborative Review of Sterilization