By Michelle Smith Apr 2, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO -- A new national network to deliver drug safety alerts online to physicians all across the U.S. was launched on March 25, replacing a widely criticized system that used paper and U.S. mail.
The Health Care Notification Network (HCNN) is the product of three years of effort and collaboration between government leaders, national medical society leaders, insurance carriers, consumer groups, and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
The network is free to all licensed U.S. physicians and is used exclusively for drug safety alerts, not for advertising. It is designed to ensure rapid and effective delivery of important alerts, improving patient safety and reducing liability and paperwork.
"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, chief executive officer of the American College of Cardiology, about the system.
The HCNN is funded by manufacturers that paid for U.S. mail delivery of paper alerts, such as Johnson & Johnson and PhRMA.
Registration for U.S. physicians is available immediately at www.hcnn.net.
Tens of thousands of physicians have already enrolled.