Dermotology Assn. Caught In Logo Use Scandal

A group of dermatologists, including Dr. A. Bernard Ackerman, director emeritus of the Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology in New York City, has called the American Academy of Dermatologys (AAD) Seal of Recognition program a shocking conflict of interest.

The AADs Seal of Recognition program, charges companies thousands of dollars for the simple privilege of displaying the academy's logo on sun-protection products. Similar to a scandal involving the American Medical Association in the late 1990s, companies must pay a $10,000 fee per product to apply for the logo and an additional $10,000 annual fee per product to use it.

Dr. Ackerman, as quoted in the Dermatology Times, is firmly against the program. "I am revolted by it," he says. "The patient should never be used as a vehicle for self-aggrandizement by either an individual physician or an association of physicians."

Another dermatologist, Peter C. Lombardo, M.D., made similar comments to the Times. "I am very much against it. I think it has no value whatsoever," he says. "The (academy) does not have an independent testing organization that tests one product against the other and finds out which deserves the Seal of Recognition. And they accept the data from whatever company is willing to pay the fee."

This scandal is further evidence of the incestuous and unethical relationships between the dermatological community and the skin care industry, says Sarah Longwell communications director for the Indoor Tanning Association. Im surprised the AAD didnt learn their lesson on this issue from the American Medical Association. When medical groups engage in pay-for-play, it negates whatever credibility they had in the first place.

info from Indoor Tanning Association press release and Yahoo News 2/08

 

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