Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics (CERTs) *

Abstract

The Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics (CERTs) program is a national initiative authorized by the Food and Drug Modernization Act of 1997 (FDAMA) (Public Law 105-115) as a public-private partnership. The program is administered by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) in close collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Seven research centers and a coordinating center together with representatives of AHRQ, FDA, the National Institutes of Health, the pharmaceutical industry, consumers, and at-large members collaborate on a steering committee led by an independent chairperson. Duke University Medical Center serves as a coordinating center to foster collaboration on research and educational themes and topics of importance in therapeutics. The CERTs vision is to serve as a trusted national resource for people seeking to improve their health through the best use of medical therapies. Two research projects are described that focus on assuring use of life-saving therapies (eg, beta-blockers for treatment of congestive heart failure) and avoiding misuse of high-risk therapies (eg, medications that may cause a fatal cardiac arrhythmia).