AfPA - The Alliance for Patient Access

The AfPA continually monitors and responds to national and regional policy issues that have the potential to influence patient access to treatments and care. We will frequently post articles and announcements here on policy issues and developments to keep you informed and to notify you when action is needed.

Therapeutic Substitution

• "Doctors, patients upset as insurers push them to use cheaper drugs," South Florida Sun Sentinel, November 29, 2008
• "Get serious on smoking; TennCare needs program of medication, therapy," by David Charles, M.D., The Tennessean, November 9, 2008
• "AMA: Switching Patients' Medication without Their Consent Is Unethical," MedicationSense.com
• "An Urgent Message to Health Insurers From a California Doctor: In Medicine, One Size Does Not Fit All," by Richard Allen Williams M.D., October 1, 2008
• "Waging Health Battles by Fax," Wall Street Journal column, October 1, 2008
• "A Family Doctor Rails Against Insurance Pre-Authorization," Wall Street Journal blog, October 1, 2008
• "Beware of legislation that would allow untested copies of biologic drugs," by David Charles, M.D., August 31, 2008
• Letter to the editor from David Charles, M.D. in response to "Doctors Paid to Prescribe Generic Pills," Wall Street Journal, January 24, 2008

Evidence-Based Medicine

• "Put patients before price," by Jack Schim, M.D., Riverside (Calif.) Press-Enterprise, January 3, 2009
  
• AfPA Position Statement on the Principles of Evidence-Based Medical Policy Making
• Low Osmolar Contrast Media Case Study

Comparative Effectiveness

• "Congress must stay out of the doctor's office," by Howard Hoffberg, M.D., Prince George's Sentinel, November 6, 2008
• "A Look Ahead: the 2009 U.S. Health Legislative Agenda," McDermott newsletter, October 14, 2008
• "A physician's take on budget-driven health care," by Peter McAllister, M.D., Manchester, Conn. Journal-Inquirer, May 23, 2008
• "Penny-pinching on medicine has a price," by Bruce S. Rubin, Tampa Tribune, April 29, 2008
• "Don't risk personalized care," by Peter McAllister, M.D., Scranton Times-Tribune, April 28, 2008
• "Congress tampering with doctor-patient relationship," by David Charles, M.D., The Tennessean, February 10, 2008

Pay-for-Performance

• "Alliance for Patient Access Applauds AMA’s Heath Insurer Code of Conduct," AfPA press release, November 17, 2008
• Mark Nielsen, M.D. discusses the impact of pay-for-performance physician compensation models on patient access and physician autonomy on "The Mary Hanson Show."

Marketing Restrictions

• "Study Sees Doctor Shortage," Boston Herald, October 6, 2008
• "Drug companies can be helpful," by Peter McAllister, M.D., Rutland, Vt. Herald, August 9, 2008
• "Disclosing Physicians' Gifts: Analysis, Articles, and an Interview," an interview with Dr. David Charles on "A Chronic Dose" blog, August 8, 2008
• "The Facts About Pharmaceutical Marketing and Promotion," April 2008

Massachusetts Gift Ban

• "AfPA Supports Proposed Massachusetts Healthcare Disclosure Regulations," AfPA press release, December 6, 2008
• "Firms win victory on doctor gift rules; draft doesn't seek research funds data," Boston Globe, December 6, 2008
• "Massachusetts Enacts Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Disclosure Law," McDermott Will & Emery, August 19, 2008
• Statement by AfPA Director Brian Kennedy in response to Governor Patrick's signing Healthcare Reform Bill, August 2008
• "Leaders nip, tuck healthcare policy; Limits enacted on drug firm gifts," Boston Globe, August 11, 2008.
• Alliance for Patient Access Urges Governor Patrick to Amend Healthcare Reform Legislation, AfPA press release, August 8, 2008
• "Biotech at risk for broadside hit; Ethics bill would be malpractice," Boston Herald, August 6, 2008
• "Senate President to review her proposed ban on gifts from drug companies to doctors; Sen. Murray told proposal could result in unintended effects," Patriot Ledger, June 19, 2008
• AfPA Position Statement on Massachusetts Gift Ban Legislation
• Talking points on S2660 Section 26
• Physicians' open-letter to Massachusetts General Assembly\

Preemption

• "Healthcare Leaders Watching Supreme Court Case," Louisiana Medical News, January 2009
• "Lawyers open new front: warning labels," by Peter McAllister, Providence Journal, December 3, 2008
• "Legal Side Effects; Can companies be sued even if they follow FDA instructions?" Wall Street Journal, November 4, 2008