HONcode certificate: respect of the 8 HONcode principles by the health website

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Certificate of compliance with the Code of Conduct HONcode

The health Website
About: Drugs
is in compliance with the HONcode

Title of the site: About: Drugs
Web address: http://drugs.about.com/
HONcode PIN number : HONConduct365227
Date of initial review: 01 May 2009
Validity of certificate 21 Jan 2013 - Jan 2015
Date of last visit 21 Jan 2013

This certificate confirms the revision of the site by the HONcode Team at the above date.
It respects and pledges to honor the 8 principles of the HON Code of Conduct (HONcode).

* 1. Authoritative 2. Complementarity 3. Privacy 4. Attribution 5. Justifiability 6. Transparency
7. Financial disclosure 8. Advertising policy

Speed access of ethical health information online is critical.

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The Health on the Net (HON) certificate serves as a guarantee that this website, at the date of its certification, complies with and pledges to honor the 8 principles of the HON Code of Conduct as drawn up by the HON foundation.

The responsible of the certified site commits to keep the site in compliance with the HON code principles for the duration of the certification.

Although measures such as a complaint mechanism, the periodical review and the automatic surveillance mechanisms are put in place to guarantee the compliance of the certified website with the ethical principles of HON as much as possible, incidental inaccuracies cannot be completely excluded. In no event the HON foundation and/or its partner(s) can be held liable for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use HON certified websites nor can the HON foundation and/or its partner(s) be held liable for the content of these certified websites, including, but not limited to the information of third-parties or hyperlinks accessible via HON certified websites.

The certified website is responsible for the content of its website, unless otherwise provided by law.

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You will find below the elements identified by the HONcode team at a precise date to justify the respect of the 8 ethical principles.

The content of this certificate has been collected and written by the Health On the Net Foundation (HON) and should not be used without previous permission granted by HON. A request for permission can be sent to: HON.

1. Information must be authoritative

From Michael Bihari, MD, former About.com Guide (...)
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board
(01 Oct 2010) -

2. Presentation of the site
Mission:

With nearly 800 Guides, About.com helps users find solutions to a wide range of daily needs – from parenting, health care and technology to cooking, travel and many others.
(01 Oct 2010) -

For the collaborative platform:

This is the place to discuss issues and concerns about your prescription and over-the-counter medications. Get your questions answered and share any stories you have about medication errors.
(01 Oct 2010) -

Audience:

With nearly 800 Guides, About.com helps users find solutions to a wide range of daily needs – from parenting, health care and technology to cooking, travel and many others.
(01 Oct 2010) -

For the collaborative platform:

You represent, warrant and covenant (a) that no materials of any kind submitted through your account will (i) violate, plagiarize, or infringe upon the rights of any third party, including copyright, trademark, privacy or other personal or proprietary rights; or (ii) contain libelous or otherwise unlawful material; and (b) that you are at least thirteen years old.
(01 Oct 2010) -

Purpose of the website

The information, facts, and opinions provided are no substitute for professional advice. Always consult your primary care physician for any medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and before undertaking a new diet or exercise plan. This Service and the Sites are for informational purposes and should be used in conjunction with health care professionals.
(01 Oct 2010) -

3. Confidentiality

About.com will never share, rent, or sell your personal information without your consent, unless it is required by law. (...) About.com will use cookies, pixel trackers, server logs, and any Internet technology in order to measure the effectiveness of the About service and any Advertising campaigns as well as to target meaningful content and Ads to our users.
(01 Oct 2010) -

For the collaborative platform:

You should be aware that if you voluntarily disclose personal information (e.g., user name, email address) on a bulletin board, chat room or on any other user or member generated pages, that information can be collected and used by others and may result in unsolicited messages from other parties.
(01 Oct 2010) -

4. Information must be documented: Referenced and dated

Only data for one sample are displayed among those selected.

Sources:
FDA Approves New Uses for Evista. FDA News Release. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. September 14, 2007. http://www.fda.gov/cder/Offices/OODP/whatsnew/raloxifene.htm
(01 Oct 2010) -

Updated January 07, 2009
(01 Oct 2010) -

For the collaborative platform:

Posted: Sep 10 10 06:43 PM
(01 Oct 2010) -

5. Justification of claims

This principle is not applicable for this site

6. User support and adequation

7. Disclosure of funding sources

8. Advertising policy

"Advertisement" "Sponsored Links" "Drugs Ads"
(01 Oct 2010) -

All advertising content is clearly distinguished from the editorial content by the following labels: advertisement, sponsored links, ads. We do not accept advertisements for any illegal products or services or advertisements that About.com feels are objectionable or in bad taste.
(01 Oct 2010) -

Advertising Policy
(01 Oct 2010) -

All advertising content is clearly distinguished from the editorial content by the following labels: advertisement, sponsored links, ads.
(01 Oct 2010) -

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