Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) News, Meetings & Events http://www.amp.org Association for Molecular Pathology en-us Tue, 26 Feb 2013 cwallington@asip.org Tue, 26 Feb 2013 Take advantage of this opportunity to share your work at the AMP 2013 Annual Meeting, November 14-16 in Phoenix. Accepted abstracts will be published in the November 2013 issue of The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics." http://www.amp.org/meetings/2013/abstracts.cfm Fri, 31 May 2013 April 2013: The AMP Professional Relations Committee commented on the AHRQ draft report, "Update on Genetic Tests Currently Available for Clinical Use in Common Cancers," identifying methodologic flaws in the data gathering process that have led to gaps in the report's findings." http://www.amp.org/documents/CommentstoAHRQTAonCancerGeneticTests.pdf Wed, 20 Mar 2013 The emergence of molecular diagnostic testing in lung cancer offers new hope for patients battling the number one cancer killer in the United States and abroad. Now, for the first time after a decade of biomarker testing in lung cancer, a uniform approach for testing for the EGFR mutation and ALK rearrangement along with the availability of targeted therapies offer lung cancer patients the chance for improved quality of life and more time with their loved ones." http://www.amp.org/committees/clinical_practice/LungBiomarkerGuideline.cfm Wed, 20 Mar 2013 March 2013: The AMP Economic Affairs Committee report to AMA documents the challenges, related technology, and proposed coding scheme for GSAs. Input from AMP members is requested no later than April 15, 1013." http://www.amp.org/committees/economics/CPTforGSAs.cfm Wed, 20 Mar 2013 Several regional Medicare Adminstrative Contractors (MACs) Several MACs have released their preliminary fee schedules for molecular tests. These fee schedules are still subject to modification, but it is important that every molecular pathology laboratory provide its regional MAC with data that can be used to set appropriate reimbursement values. AMP members should endeavor to bring this important issue to the attention of their department chairs and the billing officers of their institutions. Some Medicare contractors have set response deadline as early as March 31, so there is no time to delay." http://www.amp.org/committees/economics/index.cfm Wed, 20 Mar 2013 View the most recent newsletter for updates on AMP members and leader's progress in advancing AMP via education, advocacy, and more." http://newsletters.amp.org/AMPlifications_March2013.html Fri, 1 Mar 2013 March 2013: In a letter to the FDA, Jennifer L. Hunt, AMP President warned, "When the FDA includes a brand name of a diagnostic kit on a drug label, the medical community often views this as a tacit endorsement of that one company's test." http://www.amp.org/documents/FDALetter_RxDrugLabeling_March2013.pdf/ Fri, 1 Mar 2013 March 2013: "AMP encourages the FDA to (also) consider how the information describing subpopulations of patients might be described in drug labels," noted Jennifer L. Hunt, AMP President in a letter to the FDA. Read the letter. http://www.amp.org/ Fri, 1 Mar 2013 February 2013: AMP launched a call for case review articles for possible publication in CAP Today. Deadline to submit completed article is March 15. http://www.amp.org/publications_resources/AMPCaseReviews.cfm Tue, 26 Feb 2013 January 2013: AMP's comments to USPTO reiterate concern over gene patients potentially interfering with AMP member's ability to deliver optimal care to their patients. http://www.amp.org/documents/AMPUSPTOComments_Written_Final.pdf Thu, 10 Jan 2013 AMP comments to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding 2013 PFS Final Rule http://www.amp.org/documents/AMPComments_2013PFSFinalRule.pdf Fri, 28 Dec 2012 Funds donated will be used to fund education and training initiatives consistent with the efforts that Dr. Kant championed. http://www.amp.org/Funds/index.cfm Tue, 23 Oct 2012 The timely report provides a detailed and compelling overview of the landscape of next generation sequencing (NGS) technology and its clinical relevance and impact on improving patient care. http://www.amp.org/documents/101812_WGAReportonNGS.pdf Thu, 18 Oct 2012 September 29, 2012: Dr. Kant was a founder of AMP, its first president, the first recipient of the AMP Leadership Award, and was active in AMP leadership until less than a month before his death. His contributions to molecular pathology, to his trainees, and to AMP will be celebrated at the annual meeting in Long Beach. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/postgazette/obituary.aspx?pid=160245083#fbLoggedOut Tue, 16 Oct 2012 September 2012: Case challenges patents as dangerous roadblock to patient care, medical innovation. http://www.amp.org/documents/092612_GenePatentCaseAppeal.pdf Wed, 26 Sep 2012 http://www.amp.org/documents/AMPcrosswalkrecs876XXand879XXCLFS2012.pdf Fri, 6 Jul 2012 The goal of the group is to produce a white paper that will outline the key issues, and provide AMP's recommendations for future LDT oversight. http://www.amp.org/documents/050212_LDTWorkGroup.pdf Wed, 2 May 2012