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Saturday, August 13, 2005The regulations, which apply to generic versions of Accutane as well, require doctors and patients to register in an electronic database before it can be dispensed. Female patients of childbearing age must take two pregnancy tests and use two forms of birth control to get the drug. And doctors and pharmacists must confirm that the requirements have been met. Now, how are doctors and pharmacists going to confirm that teenage girls are using two forms of birth control? Many dermatologists already require patients to sign a pledge that they'll use birth control while taking the medication. And some who do monthly pregnancy tests before renewing the prescription. But, confirming that they're using birth control seems an impossible task. They've effectively assured that the drug will never be prescribed. UPDATE: Should have read to the end of the story: Under the program, doctors who wish to prescribe Accutane or its generic forms must first go to a Web site, list the patient's name in the registry and, using an identification number for the patient, confirm in the case of women that two pregnancy tests have been performed. Patients, using the same identification code, must either call an 800 number or visit a Web site to receive education about the drug's risks, and women must confirm that they are taking two forms of birth control. When the patient goes to a pharmacy, the pharmacist must check the Web site to make sure that both doctor and patient have complied. The pregnancy tests must have been taken within the previous seven days and been performed by a certified laboratory. Another pregnancy test will be required before the prescription is refilled. It still seems an onerous enough process that few physicians and pharmacists would elect to do it. posted by Sydney on 8/13/2005 06:51:00 PM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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