Off-Label Uses of Drugs and Technology: What’s the Stigma?

• Published in: Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery 2013-09, Vol.149 (2_suppl), p.P16-P17
• Main Authors: Zur, Karen B., Derkay, Craig S., Handler, Steven D., O’Malley, Bert W., Rutter, Michael J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0194-5998; 1097-6817
• DOI: 10.1177/0194599813493390a28

Program Description: The practice of otolaryngology is rapidly evolving with new technologies and pharmaceuticals introduced into use at an exponential rate. While most new interventions are Food and Drug Administration approved, some rely on their success in other fields of medicine and are applied into our field as experimental or are used in good faith with anecdotal benefits. The purpose of this multi-expert panel is to share the ethical considerations and controversies of such tools, with a special emphasis on the pathway for approval by the hospital as well as credentialing, off-label use of injectables and topical medications, and application of robotics in otolaryngology. Educational Objectives: 1) Describe the process of introducing off-label medications, devices, and technologies into everyday practice. 2) List some commonly used topical and injectable medications and their off-label use in the various fields of otolaryngology. 3) Recognize the limitations that are inherent to the introduction of such innovations.