title: The American Psychiatric Association and the Food and Drug Administration: an analysis and proposal for action.
abstract: The relationship between medicine and society is currently undergoing substantial change. While the Food and Drug Administration has no legal authority over the practicing physician, its decisions already influence medical practice. The Drug Regulation Reform Act of 1978, if passed in its present form, would grant FDA broad new powers over patient care and clinical research. In order to retain a high degree of control of its future and activities, the American Psychiatric Association must develop an effective mechanism for meeting this challenge and for serving the interests of its members and their patients. Dr. Alexander M. Schmidt comments on the author's presentation.
mesh_terms: D003253:Consultants; D003657:Decision Making; D004345:Drug Industry; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control; D006801:Humans; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D011570:Psychiatry; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012106:Research; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration