Murray Kopelow, MD, ACCME Chief Executive, gave a presentation at the Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions' Fifth Annual PACME Summit, held in April in Jersey City. (PACME is the Pharmaceutical Alliance for CME.) Dr. Kopelow discussed the role of accredited continuing education as a strategic asset to the Food and Drug Administration's Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for long-acting and extended-release opioids. He explained that the ACCME’s role was to offer information regarding compliance with ACCME requirements. Using case examples, Dr. Kopelow explained that accredited providers must comply with the Standards for Commercial Support when developing CME that addresses REMS.
Information and resources about REMS and CME are available here:
- FDA Blueprint for Prescriber Continuing Education Program
- FDA information about the opioid REMS, including links to the FDA letter to manufacturers and frequently asked questions
- CME and the Opioid Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS): Audio Commentary by Dr. Kopelow
- ACCME News Release: Accreditation Council for CME Plans to Assist Accredited Providers That Choose to Address Prescription Drug Abuse Through Accredited CME and FDA-defined REMS
- ACCME Response to FDA REMS Draft Blueprint
- Ask ACCME about REMS
