Caronia was found guilty of conspiracy to introduce a misbranded drug into interstate commerce, a misdemeanor violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 331(a) and 333(a)(1). Specifically, Caronia, a pharmaceutical sales representative, promoted the drug Xyrem [a potent depressant of the central nervous system] for "off-label use," that is, for a purpose not approved by the [FDA].Two of three judges on a panel of the Second Circuit disagreed, vacating Caronia' conviction, and remanding the case to the district court. On December 3, 2012, the majority
conclude[d] simply that the government cannot prosecute pharmaceutical manufacturers and their representatives under the FDCA [Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act] for speech promoting the lawful, off-label use of an FDA-approved drug.This important decision appears to augment physicians' right to prescribe drugs to patients for off-label uses by further allowing physicians access to truthful information from pharmaceutical companies about known off-label uses of those drugs.
A judicial decision of such significance to physicians, patients, and pharmaceutical companies may attract the attention of the U.S. Supreme Court. In the meantime, a wider horizon beckons for off-label uses of medicines.
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ReplyDeleteThat's why, the public must be vigilant enough to trace back on whether what among the physicians, medical practitioners and medicinal prescription they are giving is legitimately real and which are not. It's always good to go and research something about the medicine you are asked to take and be more cautious on the doctors, to whom you are entrusting the overall health of your family.
ReplyDeleteChloe Horton
The legitimacy is another purpose of consulting more than one doctor to get a second opinion. It's a matter of health, and we all want to be sure about our status. -- Alexandra Gopin
DeleteI have to agree with what Chloe said. There are so many fraud practitioners out there giving their "service" with much cheaper price compared to the legit ones.
ReplyDeleteFrancis Mccormick