370 likes | 579 Vues
Medicine at the Margins Unapproved, unregistered and off-label. Katie Elkin , Chief Legal Advisor Lydia Wadsworth , Legal Advisor HDC Medico-legal Conference 2012.
E N D
Medicine at the MarginsUnapproved, unregistered and off-label Katie Elkin, Chief Legal Advisor Lydia Wadsworth, Legal Advisor HDC Medico-legal Conference 2012
“Regulation touches the point between the public and the personal … When harm happens we blame ineffective regulation but when we are stopped from doing something risky we say regulation is excessive … We want to be free and we want to be safe. Nothing is wrong with either.” Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence, 2010
Information that a reasonable consumer, in that consumer’s circumstances, would expect to receive – Right 6(1) • Services can only be provided if the consumer makes an informed choice and gives informed consent – Right 7(1)
Minimal risk of harm • Work under supervision • Other forms of regulation • Employer • Self-accreditation • Licensure • Certification
“Any other person who provides, or holds himself or herself or itself out as providing, health services to the public or to any section of the public, whether or not any charge is made for those services” Health and Disability Commissioner Act, section 3(k)
Honest and accurate answers to questions relating to services, including questions about the identity and qualifications of the provider – Right 6(3)(a) • Information that a reasonable consumer, in that consumer’s circumstances, would expect to receive – Right 6(1)
Services that comply with legal, professional, ethical, and other relevant standards – Right 4(2)
Treatment of woman with cancer by iridologist / natural therapist10HDC00970
Treatment of woman with cancer by iridologist / natural therapist10HDC00970 • Services that comply with legal, professional, ethical, and other relevant standards – Right 4(2) • Services that minimise the potential harm to, and optimise the quality of life of, the consumer – Right 4(4) • Co-operation among providers to ensure quality and continuity of services – Right 4(5) • Information that a reasonable consumer, in that consumer’s circumstances, would expect to receive, including an explanation of their condition– Right 6(1)(a) • Services can only be provided if the consumer makes an informed choice and gives informed consent – Right 7(1)
Treatment of woman with cancer by iridologist / natural therapist10HDC00970 • Inform • Consult • Cry halt • Record • Maintain professional boundaries
Medicine • Set of indications • Dosages • Instructions • Route of administration
An authorised prescriber / medical practitioner may sell, supply or administer(or procure for sale, supply or administration) anymedicine Medicines Act 1981, ss 25 and 29
Be satisfied that the medicine is safe and efficacious • Seek rigorous evidence • Inform the consumer • Follow up
Dermal filling procedure10HDC00986 • Services provided with reasonable care and skill – Right 4(1) • Information that a reasonable consumer, in that consumer’s circumstances, would expect to receive, including an explanation of their condition– Right 6(1)(a) • Services can only be provided if the consumer makes an informed choice and gives informed consent – Right 7(1)
Off-labeluse of an approved medicine for purposes other than those approved for use in New Zealand
Common off-label useSubstantial evidence of accepted efficacy and safety
Information that a reasonable consumer, in that consumer’s circumstances, would expect to receive – Right 6(1)
Treatment of sexual dysfunction09HDC00905, 09HDC01077, 09HDC01082, 09HDC01540 “Mr B should have been aware that prescribing the APM nasal spray for erectile dysfunction was an ‘off-label’ use of the medication not currently included in relevant erectile dysfunction management guidelines, and not generally recognised as the first step in treatment for erectile dysfunction.”
Novel off-label useWhere the evidence base is not extensive or the use of the medicine is uncommon
Experimental use • Medsafe: • “the unapproved use of a medicine would be considered to be experimental if there is little or equivocal documented support for the use”.
Experimental use • Where informed consent to a health care procedure is required, it must be in writing if the procedure is experimental – Right 7(6)(b)
Research • Randomised controlled clinical trial • Observational studies • Innovative practice?
“I consider the aim, hypothesis, or intent of the Proposal is the best means of distinguishing whether or not it was intended only as a means of treating patients or whether it had a research component” Judge Cartwright
Information that reasonable consumer, in that consumer’s circumstances, would expect to receive, including notification of any proposed participation in research, including whether the research requires and has received ethical approval – Right 6(1)(d) • Services that comply with legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards – Right 4(2) • Honest and accurate answers to questions relating to services, including the results of research – Right 6(3)(d) • Where informed consent to a health care procedure is required, it must be in writing if the consumer is to participate in any research – Right 7(6)(a) • The Code extends to those occasions when a consumer is participating in, or it is proposed that a consumer participate in, research – Right 9