Draft Ethics Opinion "Weight Loss Products and Over-the-Counter Medications" for Review and Comment

Background

The updated ADA/CDR Code of Ethics (published in the January 1999 Journal of the American Dietetic Association) provided for the development and publication of Ethics Opinions, to assist members and credentialed practitioners in understanding the application of the code. An Ethics Opinion is defined as "an interpretation or application of the ADA/CDR Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics by the Ethics Committee in response to a specific ethics issue or situation facing dietetics professionals in practice. These opinions will be available to members and credentialed practitioners to serve as an educational guide for their conduct."

During the 2007-2008 Program Year, the Ethics Committee commissioned the development of the first Ethics Opinion entitled "Weight Loss Products and Over-the-Counter Medications." The opinion has undergone a review by selected members, the Ethics Committee, Internal Ethics Team (at ADA Headquarters), ADA Board of Directors, House Leadership Team, Commission on Dietetic Registration and ADA legal counsel. Comments from all groups and individuals have been discussed and changes have been made based on input.

Your Input Is Needed

The final draft is now available for members and credentialed practitioners to review and comment (below). All comments will be reviewed and considered by the Ethics Committee at the close of the 60-day comment period for finalizing the document.

All comments on the draft Ethics Opinion may be submitted using the link to Survey Monkey (below) and must be received by the close of business on Monday, July 7, 2008. The Ethics Opinion will be finalized and published in a future issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.