Submitted by the AAPS Board of Directors
WHEREAS: Science is a method for seeking truth, not a dogmatic creed handed down by approved experts;
WHEREAS: Experts have been proved wrong, and what was a minority or individual opinion proved correct many times;WHEREAS: Science requires free, open debate;
WHEREAS: There are enormous conflicts of interest in all elements of medical care that influence scientific debate;
WHEREAS: Physicians undergo rigorous training that equips them to independently evaluate evidence;
WHEREAS: The randomized controlled trial is not the only kind of evidence; is itself subject to bias and other flaws; and is often unavailable, especially for a newly recognized disease;
WHEREAS: The physician who follows the Hippocratic ethic has pledged to “prescribe regimen for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone”;
WHEREAS: The ethical physician places patients first;
WHEREAS: Physicians may be subject to severe pressure from employers, hospitals, insurers or others to conform to a protocol that may not be in the best interest of an individual patient;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT:
The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons supports the right and duty of physicians to prescribe drugs and any medical treatment according to their own best judgment, with the commitment to do no harm to anyone, and further
Be it Resolved that the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons defends this right in its positions in accordance with free, open scientific debate on legislation, regulation, hospital medical staff bylaws, or licensure board actions without criminalization, reprisal or retribution.
