Poliquin writes to FDA about pharmaceutical electronic information

Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-ME) recently wrote the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to express opposition to a rule that would enable pharmaceutical companies to distribute prescription information electronically rather than on paper.
The letter to Margaret Hamburg noted many families still lack Internet access. Additionally, Poliquin says small businesses and the general economy could both be harmed by this ruling. As an example, Twin Rivers Paper Company employs 600 Maine residents and provides most of the pharmaceutical paper inserts in the U.S.
“We are concerned with the unintended consequences of this proposed rule, including harm to millions of residents of rural America who do not have Internet access nor the likelihood of reliable connectivity in the near future,” Poliquin said. “Additionally, natural disasters, including those in or close to urban areas, leave many vulnerable senior citizens without power or access to the Internet for prolonged periods of time. During such disruptions, hard copies of prescribing information for medications help doctors and pharmacists save lives by avoiding life-threatening emergencies. Furthermore, given the ongoing cyber-security threat, it doesn't make sense to allow only online access to critically important directions for medicine consumption.”
Poliquin said those concerns and the fact that physician, pharmacy and patient advocacy groups are not advocating for this change should prompt the proposal's withdrawal.