Cardiologists and Ob-Gyns Join Online National Drug Alerts Network

A new network to deliver drug safety alerts online to U.S. physicians was launched this week, replacing a decades-old system based upon paper and mail.

The American College of Cardiology and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have agreed to participate in the Health Care Notification Network, an online drug alert network that replaces a decades-old system based upon paper and U.S. mail.

The HCNN was launched two months ago; the network's organizers say it currently reaches more than 100,000 U.S. physicians.

ACC and ACOG members together add more than 50,000 physicians to the HCNN effort.

"Rapid delivery of drug safety information is critical in order for us to provide high quality care to our patients based on the latest data," said Jack Lewin, MD, chief executive officer of the ACC. "We are confident that cardiologists will enroll and immediately appreciate the benefits of the HCNN. By taking advantage of this network, we can streamline care and save costs."

Medical society leaders, liability carriers, health plans, consumer advocacy groups, government officials and industry representatives joined together to develop the HCNN, which delivers online patient safety alerts that are product-related and mandated by the FDA.

The HCNN may also be used to notify physicians in the event of national public health emergencies or bio-terror events.

The network is governed by the not-for-profit iHealth Alliance, with network operations provided by San Francisco-based Medem, Inc. "We are thrilled to have ACOG and the ACC join this important national effort," said Nancy Dickey, MD, former American Medical Association president and chairman of the iHealth Alliance."Our goal is to have all physicians subscribe to the HCNN by year's end."

Lewin and ACOG Executive Vice President Ralph Hale, MD, said their organizations would assist their members in HCNN enrollment, including email outreach and pre-registration.

"Getting important drug alerts to physicians is key to improving patient safety and keeping physicians well-informed," said Hale.

The HCNN is free to all licensed U.S. physicians, and network organizers say it has been used solely for patient safety alerts, not for advertising or promotion. Participating physicians can also choose to have copies of their alerts sent to their office staff, which will likely reduce liability and paperwork, officials said.

Physicians not enrolled in the HCNN will continue to receive alerts in paper via U.S. mail, typically a few weeks after online delivery via the HCNN. The HCNN claims to be a "green" initiative because it reduces paper and mail.