A lack of understanding about the dynamic nature of science and the “hyperpoliticization” of public health facts has affected physician prescribing practices, especially off-label prescribing for COVID-19-related conditions. In a new commentary in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, my co-authors and I express our grave concern at the way medical and scientific misinformation can become distorted to fit political ideologies at the expense of science, research, and current understanding.
We urge the medical and scientific community to consider the following:
- Health professionals should communicate with patients about off-label prescriptions as part of shared decision making with patients and families whenever possible, but particularly when the use of the medication has had little or no evidence of efficacy for the condition for which it is being prescribed and there are recognized alternatives.
- Education should be developed for practicing prescribers about the ethical and legal issues surrounding off-label prescribing. A brief training module should be considered as a routine part of the licensing process.
- Information about the effectiveness of the off-label use of medications should be collected and shared. There should be tracking of off-label prescriptions and the required reporting of any adverse events.
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Ross McKinney, MD
Chief Scientific Officer
Association of American Medical Colleges
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