WASHINGTON --- Senator Chuck Grassley has asked a pharmaceutical consulting company to describe its work in disseminating off-label information about prescription drugs, as indicated in previous website postings of the company.
Federal law does not prohibit doctors from prescribing off-label uses of any FDA-approved treatment. However, off-label promotion by manufacturers is not permitted. The company receiving Grassley’s inquiry today was also involved in a story reported today by the New York Times (and pasted below) as a recipient of drug industry payments on behalf of a psychiatrist who hosted a public radio program on health and science issues.
November 21, 2008
Roger E. Meyer, MD
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Best Practice
7500 Old Georgetown Road
Suite 601
Bethesda, MD 20814
Dear Dr. Meyer:
As the Ranking Member of the United States Senate Committee on Finance (Committee), I have an obligation to the more than 80 million Americans who receive health care coverage under Medicare and Medicaid to ensure that taxpayer and beneficiary dollars are appropriately spent on safe and effective drugs and devices. This includes the responsibility to conduct oversight of the medical and pharmaceutical industries that provide products and services to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
According to publically available information, Best Practice appears to have offered services for pharmaceutical companies to include the “dissemination of new ‘off label’ information.” Specifically, this information can be found on older versions of your company’s Website (www.best-practice.net/). In order to help you understand this issue better, I have attached a page from your Website to the end of this letter.
I am wondering if your company may have engaged in the promotion of off label pharmaceutical information. Accordingly, I would appreciate an explanation of the information found on your company’s Website and whether off label promotion was offered by your company and if such services are currently offered.
Thank you in advance for your assistance. I look forward to hearing from you by no later than December 5, 2008.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Grassley
Ranking Member
Attachment
Best Practice, LLC
: a
network
of distinguished clinical investigators and opinion leaders serving as a bridge between drug companies' preclinical scientists, clinical scientists, and marketing specialists
P
hase I-III Studies
Providing consultations regarding: