Science Foundation Arizona Partners with AZCERT for Safe Medicines Initiative
AZCERT Launches First-of-its-Kind Global Resource that Arms the Public, Physicians and Researchers with Information to Prevent Harmful Drug Reactions
PHOENIX, Oct. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) is assisting AZCERT (Arizona Center for Education and Research on Therapeutics) with its launch of the CredibleMeds program, a safe medicines initiative. AZCERT's CredibleMeds program conducts research and provides tools and education for the public, health care providers and researchers to improve the safe use of medicines.
"SFAz is pleased to help launch AZCERT and the CredibleMeds program," said SFAz President and CEO William Harris. "Working with entities such as AZCERT allows SFAz to continue its mission of furthering science education, development and research in Arizona, and fostering successful commercial applications of the most advanced biomedical science."
AZCERT, founded by renowned physician-scientist, Raymond Woosley, M.D., Ph.D., provides access to web-based materials designed to reduce avoidable harm caused by medicines and drug interactions. To determine the relative risk of harm by medicines, AZCERT utilizes its unique scientific methodology, Adverse Drug Event Causality Analysis (ADECA™). Using ADECA's specific algorithms, AZCERT has identified 39 medicines that have a clear risk of causing heart arrhythmias and sudden death. An additional group of 86 medicines that have effects on the electrocardiogram is being closely monitored using ADECA.
"Science Foundation Arizona's sponsorship of this program will provide a vital element in launching AZCERT's research and educational partnerships," said Woosley. "By employing AZCERT's innovative ADECA technology for safe medication use, medical organizations, physicians and researchers worldwide will be able to provide improved healthcare".
Already seeing more than 70,000 unique visitors from more than 80 countries on its website each month, AZCERT's goal is to improve medical outcomes from medications and to become the world's most trusted source of information on the safe use of medicines.
"CredibleMeds is saving lives by providing reliable information on which medicines can cause life-threatening arrhythmias," said Dr. Christopher Newton-Cheh, cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, scientist in the Broad Institute and member of the Scientific Advisory Board for CredibleMeds. "I personally use and frequently recommend the CredibleMeds.org website to my fellow cardiologists, as well as psychiatrists, infectious disease specialists and internists, and most importantly patients—who are their own best advocates for safe prescribing."
Visit www.sfaz.org or www.CredibleMeds.org or for more information. To make a donation to CredibleMeds visit http://www.sfaz.org/support.
CONTACT: |
The Lavidge Company |
480.998.2600 |
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Teri Morris x577 |
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Kissy Black |
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AZCERT, Inc. |
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615.310.1894 |
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SOURCE Science Foundation Arizona
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