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Table of Contents 
1. We Have a Winner!
2. The Fight Heats Up Over Prescription Data-mining
3. Global Health Workforce Bill
4. Healthy Food Initiative
5. Call for FDA to Emphasize Safety
6. Mark Your Calendars!
7. Check Out This Benefit
Lucky Winner, Dr. Claire Campomanes!
1. We Have a Winner!
Dr. Claire Campomanes is the lucky winner of the NPA drawing from among the 2007 AMSA graduates who have updated their contact information with the NPA. She has received $500 toward her moving expenses. Congratulations, Claire! But Wait!! ALL 2007 AMSA grads can enjoy the benefit of three years' free membership in the NPA as well as a free one-year subscription to Treatment Guidelines from the Medical Letter. Simply update your information here. We won't share or sell your data. We'll simply want to keep you in the NPA family.
2. The Fight Heats Up Over Prescription Data-mining
Unanimous votes in both the Maine House and Senate have sent new anti-data-mining bill to Governor John Baldacci for signature. This bill, entitled "An Act to Amend the Prescription Privacy Law" (LD-4), was supported by the NPA. It establishes a mechanism for confidentiality protection through an "opt-out" procedure similar to the federal Do Not Call List, utilizing the licensing and relicensing process for prescribers. The procedures include information for the prescriber and methods for filing with the Maine Health Data Organization to protect confidentiality of prescriber-identifying information by restricting its use to non-marketing purposes.
In related news, Vermont Governor Jim Douglas this month signed legislation requiring physicians to "opt-in" if they are comfortable with the sale of their prescribing data to pharmaceutical companies, a provision strongly supported by the NPA. The law is also expected to increase the use of less expensive generic drugs by giving patients and doctors more information about their effectiveness. Doctors will have vouchers for generics intended to balance the influence of free samples that drug manufacturers provide. Drug salespeople also must provide doctors with "fact-based" information about their medicines and comparable drugs.
Recently National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" broadcast a story on data-mining that highlighted the experiences of NPA member Dr. Jeff Huebner. Listen to the June 26th clip here.
Also this month, the Chicago Tribune covered efforts by a coalition of the NPA, the American Medical Student Association, and the Prescription Project that call on the AMA to stop selling physician Masterfile data for pharmaceutical marketing purposes. Read that article here.
3. Global Health Workforce Bill
The 2007 Africa Health Capacity Investment Act is making excellent progress! All Pennsylvania and Ohio senators have signed on, in large part thanks to the NPA. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and George Voinovich (R-OH) all signed on after just one in-district lobby visit from the NPA. Senator Specter also signed on this week, after receiving visits from NPA members and many calls generated during a coordinated AMSA-NPA Call-In Day. All of these senators sit on committees that are crucial to the success of the bill. Thanks in a large part to efforts of the NPA, this bill will likely pass the Senate! The bill also has a House co-sponsor in Representative Barbara Lee, who will write the companion bill. Interested in getting involved with this or other issues relating to the global health workforce crisis? Contact Jen Cohn.
4. Healthy Food Initiative
Poor nutrition combined with lack of physical activity cause approximately 400,000 deaths per year in the United States. Even hardware stores have candy aisles these days. The NPA believes that people have the right to food that is nutritious, affordable, and safe. That is why we the NPA has just joined the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity. As physicians, NPA members can effectively advocate for better school lunch policies and improved hospital menus. We can also lobby to expand federal fruit and vegetable programs. Sign up for the NPA's new listserv on Healthy Food to discuss what physicians around the country are doing on these issues.
5. Call for FDA to Emphasize Safety
In coalition with organizations representing patients, consumers, scientists, and public health officials the NPA is calling on Congress to enhance the FDA's emphasis on the safety of drugs, biologics, and medical devices. Read the coalition letter here and learn more about the need for FDA reform in a lively New Yorker piece published June 25th.
6. Mark Your Calendars!
The NPA will be holding its first regional conference on Saturday October 27th at Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver. This intensive one-day meeting will offer debates and workshops surrounding the care of Colorado's rural and homeless populations. Tell your Denver colleagues about the NPA's Physician Leadership Institute: Strategies for Serving Vulnerable Populations and consider joining us yourself!
7. Check Out This Benefit:
The Medical Letter is offering its two most popular publications at discounted rates to members of the NPA. The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics is a peer-reviewed biweekly publication which provides unbiased critical evaluation of new drugs; appraisal of new drugs for effectiveness, toxicity and cost; and discussion of possible alternatives. There is also an occasional review of a new non-drug treatment or a new diagnostic aid. Check here to find out more about this benefit.
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