=== * eHealth Initiative Calls For IT and the Internet to Meet Bioterrorism Threat The eHealth Initiative, a nonprofit consortium of more than 50 leading health care companies wants to see the use of digital information technology (IT) and Internet-based communications to help ensure a fast and effective response to large scale bioterrorism. The consortium is offering a blueprint of how the greater use of IT can enhance and support the U.S. public health infrastructure. Companies such as CareGroup HealthCare System, EDS, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, McKesson Corporation, Medscape, Pfizer Health Solutions, Siemens, VHA Inc. and others formed the consortium earlier this year. The goal is to improve the quality, safety and cost effective- ness of every aspect of the health care system through the use of IT. To achieve this goal, the eHealth Initiative is seeking to work and coordinate with health agencies with the government. Many of these organizations already have well-established systems in place and together they provide about half the funding for health care in the U.S. More details (and contact information) on the eHealth Initiative is at http://www.federaltelemedicine.com/n112601.htm === * FDA Issues Cyber Letters to Web Sites Selling Unapproved Foreign Cirprofloxacin FDA has issued warnings to 11 Internet vendors abroad, who are selling Cipro to U.S. consumers, since FDA is unable to determine whether these products were made in accordance with U.S. specifications. Therefore, the sale of Cipro and distribution in the U.S. can be illegal. The FDA is warning U.S. citizens that foreign drugs promoted on the Internet may not be approved for marketing in this country and may not be legally imported. The agency is also informing regulatory officials in the countries in which the Internet pharmacies operate that these potential violations are taking place. FDA is also advising the U.S. Customs Service that shipments from these vendors may be detained and refused. FDA has identified 5 other foreign-based web sites that are selling Cipro despite previous warnings from the agency. The agency is taking additional measures to block their exports to this country and to secure the assistance of foreign authorities to stop these illicit sales. === * AMIA's Symposium Discussed Informatics Response to Terrorism One of the panels at the American Medical Informatics Annual Symposium held in Washington D.C. in November discussed how the informatics industry should respond in times of terrorism. Dr Michael Wagner, co-director of the Biomedical Security Institute at the University of Pittsburgh and one of the panelists said, "prior to 10/4/01, public health was doing a good job against microbes. After 10/4/01, public health changed forever and now is really the field of biodefense. There will be a steep rise in the economic and mortality impact, therefore we need to find strategies for dealing with the problem." More information on this Symposium and AMIA recommendations at: http://www.federaltelemedicine.com/n112601.htm
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