2016 Year-In-Review

As 2016 comes to a close and we think back on all the many amazing and unexpected things that have happened, we also note the many activities undertaken and accomplishments achieved by the AAHP on behalf of its membership:

• We held two successful membership meetings that united industry leaders in sharing best practices.
• We hosted four webinars on a wide range of topics to educate the homeopathic community as part of our 2016 Compliance Thru Education series.
• We invited two officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be guest presenters in two Compliance Thru Education webinars; these two webinars provided direct insights into issues of concern to the Agency.
• We shared 30 articles, insights, and news alerts in our monthly newsletter and on AAHP’s website.
• Board members participated in a roundtable discussion for organizations in the homeopathic community hosted by the National Center for Homeopathy, in order to convey a factual perspective on the FTC announced enforcement policy and to help plan a coordinated community-wide response in 2017.
• We honored Sen. Barbara Mikulski [D-Md] for her lifelong support of homeopathic medicines.
• In conjunction with our lobbyist, we worked with key legislators on Capitol Hill to promote a positive regulatory climate for our products.
• We provided timely responses to, and advice for members regarding legislative challenges.
• We submitted press releases to industry trade publications to share our positive story.
• The Board surveyed membership for feedback on projects of importance to the member companies in order to prioritize them in the next years leading up to the AAHP’s centenary in 2023.
• We hosted a preview screening and discussion period with the producer/director of Just One Drop, a feature length documentary on homeopathy.
• We engaged a specialist to present information regarding the impact of California’s Proposition 65 on the marketing of homeopathic medicines in that state.
• The board held monthly meetings to keep an overview on issues and activities that might be of concern to our membership.
• The Legal and Regulatory Committee averaged more than two meetings per month to develop and coordinate a strategy to improve the legal framework for our membership’s marketing activities.
• Despite the unexpected announcement from FTC, and the resulting spurt of AAHP activity in response, we will end the year on target with the original 2016 budget and be positioned to begin the new year and the challenges and opportunities it will bring.

We thank our members and other stakeholders for their support, and we look forward to a meaningful and productive 2017!