The Coalition last addressed the ACCME’s “Standard for Commercial Support” in July 2004. Since that time most of what the Coalition forecast has come to pass.

The “standards” became official on September 28, 2004. They were issued with “Q&A” resources that created a great deal of confusion. Many institutions objected to the increasing complexity of achieving compliance, especially in the area of resolving conflicts of interest. The ACCME has responded rapidly to resolve many of the most troublesome issues.

The confusing Q&A resources were replaced with more helpful information. (On their website www.accme.org under “Ask ACCME”, scroll down and review material standard x standard). Further, the ACCME clarified that only the “standards” are the “standards” and all other material is the product of ACCME staff without the benefits of a review and approval by the Board of ACCME. “Peer-review” and use of “Evidence-based content” have become the most visible techniques for resolution of personal conflicts. Most providers are happier with this approach.

ACCME launched a “toolkit” at the end of January ’05 that is designed to walk providers through the process of establishing their own policies and procedures regarding implementation of the “Standards”. The “toolkit” provides a review of all changes in the standards, slide to help educate staff, templates to aid in implementing new procedures. The “toolkit” should prove a useful adjunct to other resources available within the CME community.

The ACCME has responded to questions and complaints in an attempt to help providers more easily adopt the new “Standards”. It is regrettable that the initial release of information and resources was done without input from the provider community. The most important issues remaining now are the need to reassure grantors that the information first released has been modified to a form that can be implemented by most providers without significant time delays and with only modest additional costs and the need to educate faculty on compliance with the new standards. The Coalition’s position on CME remains unchanged.