AMA Drug Evaluations

Abstract

The original publication, AMA Drug Evaluations 1971, (AMA-DE) arose out of the atmosphere of severe criticism of drug manufacturers and physicians, engendered on the one side by the great increase of drug usage with its resulting iatrogenic disease, and on the other by congressional hearings such as the Kefauver Investigation of 1959-1962. More recent hearings have continued to be critical and there has been a mandate to produce a that gives clear indications for the safe use of drugs and that would prevent overprescription of useless and dangerous drugs. The first edition of AMA-DE—bacause of publication delays, numerous errors, and a poor format and style—did not seem to catch on either as a bible or otherwise. The present (second) edition (1973) 1 is much more readable and useful. It ought to be at the right hand of every prescribing physician, available at every nursing station and clinic. Pharmacology instructors,