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World Medical Association General Assembly
At its annual General Assembly in Santiago, Chile (October 12-15)
the World Medical Association discussed a number of issues, including
the following:
Medical Liability
Measures to combat the growing culture of medical litigation were
proposed. A statement warned that the growth of litigation was
adversely affecting the practice of medicine and eroding the availability
and quality of health care services. The WMA described this as
'a medical liability crisis', where the lawsuit culture was increasing
health care costs, restraining access to health care services,
and hindering efforts to improve patient safety and quality. The
statement declared that medical liability claims had diverted
scarce health care resources to the legal system and away from
direct patient care, research, and physician training and it added:
'The lawsuit culture has also blurred the distinction between
negligence and unavoidable adverse outcomes, often resulting in
a random determination of the standard of care. This has led to
the broad perception that anyone can sue for almost anything,
betting on a chance to win a big award. Such a culture breeds
cynicism and distrust in both the medical and legal systems with
damaging consequences to the patient-physician relationship.'
The statement urged all national medical associations to demand
a reliable system of medical justice in their respective countries
and called for public education programmes on the risks inherent
in new advances in treatment and public advocacy programmes to
demonstrate the problems resulting from strict cost containment.
Dr Yoram Blachar, chair of the WMA Council, said: 'We need to
develop active opposition to meritless or frivolous. It is vital
that we stop the increasing criminalization of medical acts by
the courts.'
Drug Substitution
A statement was issued expressing serious concern about pharmacists
who substitute different drugs to those prescribed by physicians.
The WMA urged regulatory authorities to declare therapeutic substitution
illegal, unless such substitution had the immediate consent of
the prescribing physician. The meeting agreed that pharmacists
should be required to dispense the exact chemical, dose, and dosage
form prescribed by the physician. Once medication had been prescribed
and begun, no drug substitution should be made without the prescribing
physician's permission.
Dr Yoram Blachar said: 'National Medical Associations should
oppose any action to restrict the freedom and the responsibility
of the physician to prescribe in the best medical interest of
the patient.'
Singapore Medical Association
An application from the Singapore Medical Association to join
the WMA was accepted.
Elections
Dr Kgosi Letlape, chairman of the South African Medical Association,
was installed as President of the WMA for 2005/6.
Dr Nachiappan Arumugam, a cardiologist from Kuala Lumpur and
immediate past president of the Malaysian Medical Association,
was elected President Elect.
Separate press releases were issued on:
- Dr Letlape's inaugural speech
- Avian Flu
- The Global Impact of Alcohol on Health
- Genetics and Medicine
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