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ACCME Formally Approves Updated Standards for Commercial Support, Provides Guidance to U.S. CME Providers
10/19/2004

The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) announced on Sept. 29 that its seven parent organizations had unanimously approved the 2004 Updated ACCME Standards for Commercial Support: Standards to Ensure the Independence of CME Activities. The new Standards 2004 will replace the 1992 ACCME Standards for Commercial Support.

Although ACCME-accredited providers must begin implementing the new Standards immediately, the ACCME is providing its members with an eight-month transition period so that providers can develop and begin implementing any new policies or procedures for their activities that are required. The ACCME expects accredited providers to have implemented the new Standards and to be developing CME activities that are in compliance with the new Standards by the end of May 2005. In addition, accredited providers due for re-accreditation decisions on or after November 2006 will be expected to demonstrate compliance with the new Standards.

The ACCME has provided background rationale and answers to questions about compliance with the new regulations at its web site. The following link will take you to that information: www.accme.org/dir_docs/doc_upload/68b2902a-fb73-44d1-8725-80a1504e520c_uploaddocument.pdf.

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