peRx Information

In April of 2006, Elissa Ladd, PhD., of the MGH Institute of Health Professions was awarded one of 26 grants from across the country through the Attorney General Consumer and Prescriber Education Grant Program. The MGHIHP was the only program that was funded for advanced practice nurse prescribers.

• The intent of the program is the development, dissemination and evaluation of curricula that provides practicing healthcare professionals, and those in training, with the critical skills necessary to evaluate prescription drug information and industry marketing techniques. The application of this knowledge to prescribing practices is a key objective.
• Educational Product: A series of 4 web based modules and a shorter documentary format have been developed. The modules are presented in an informative, engaging and entertaining format that cover topic areas of:
• FDA drug approval process
• Pharmaceutical marketing strategies commonly found in health care practice i.e., gifts, free meals, continuing education programs
• Ethical dimensions of pharmaceutical industry influence on prescribing practices of health care providers
• Strategies to improve prescribing based on scientific evidence rather than market based information and promotions