From: Nigel.Allen@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Nigel Allen)
Newsgroups: talk.politics.drugs
Subject: American Medical Association warns of illegal drug importation
Date: 6 Oct 92 00:19:46 GMT
Organization: NDA


Here is a press release from the American Medical Association.

 AMA Warns of Illegal Drug Importation
 To: National Desk, Medical Writer
 Contact: Arnold Collins of the American Medical Association,
          312-464-4430

   CHICAGO, Oct. 5   -- The American Medical Association 
has asked federal authorities to investigate and take
action against the illegal promotion and distribution in the United
States of unapproved drug products imported from abroad.
   In discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the AMA
expressed its concern about "off-shore" (e.g. Bahamas) and "overseas"
(e.g. Europe) prescription mail-order houses, which advertise
U.S.-patented prescription drug products in popular American
magazines.
   Using their credit cards, American consumers can usually order
these medications by toll-free telephone call, often at greatly
reduced prices and apparently without a doctor's prescription.
   The promotion and distribution of unapproved drug products within
the United States is illegal.  Among the AMA's other concerns are
questions of quality, self-prescription and lack of medical
supervision which could pose a significant risk to a patient's
health.
   The quality of so-called "foreign versions" of prescription drugs
is often unknown; in some cases the drugs are counterfeits.
Directions for appropriate use of the products may be inadequate.
Finally, the ease with which these unapproved and sometimes potent
mail-order drugs can be obtained -- frequently without a doctor's
prescription -- raises serious concerns about self-medication
without the guidance of a licensed practitioner, according to the
AMA.
   The AMA's action is not meant to restrict the importation of small
dosages of drugs not yet approved in the United States, when intended
for the treatment of individuals with serious illnesses.  These
"personal use" drugs are permitted entry by the FDA in treatment
quantities of three months or less.  They must not pose unreasonable
health safety risks, must not be promoted in this country, and should
be used only to treat illnesses for which no satisfactory treatments
are currently available here.  Individuals importing such drugs must
adequately document that the drugs are for their own use and are
administered under the supervision of a physician licensed to
practice in the United States.
   The AMA has also issued an advisory to physicians nationwide to
inform their patients of the potential health hazards of prescription
medications obtained from mail-order houses abroad, and of the risks
of self-medicating with drugs that require a physician's
prescription.
   Because physicians must address the cost of prescription drugs and
the ability of individual patients to pay for medications, the AMA
has reminded physicians that U.S. pharmaceutical houses have
established programs enabling those with modest resources to obtain
expensive drug products.
 -30-

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Newsgroups: talk.politics.drugs