AAD survey 90% of derms unhappy with iPledge

Schaumburg, Ill. - Dermatologists are virtually unanimously dissatisfied with the controversial federal iPLEDGE registry and want significant changes to the program, according to a poll of members of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

The AAD recently released results of its survey about the mandatory isotretinoin registry and its impact on dermatologists' ability to deliver quality care to patients who take the drug to fight acne and other conditions.

The computer-based registry and tracking system was designed to control the prescribing, usage, dispensing and distribution of the drug, which can cause severe birth defects. The program was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last year and went into effect in March.

iPLEDGE problems

In addition, more than 80 percent reported that their patients have had difficulties with the program.

Other key findings:

Suggested improvements

The report accompanying the survey results includes a number of improvements that respondents suggested should be made to iPLEDGE, among them:

About 13 percent of respondents suggested that the iPLEDGE program be eliminated altogether.

"The improvements suggested by respondents show they and their patients are trying to deal with this program despite its cumbersome nature, and I hope the results of the survey can be used to initiate more changes in iPLEDGE," she says.

Moving toward modifications

That's exactly what AAD president Stephen P. Stone, M.D., has begun to pursue with the results of the survey.