NASSCD

Review of 2012 and Our Plans for 2013

Dear Members of the Celiac Medical Community,

The new year begins auspiciously for the North American Society for the Study of Celiac Disease (NASSCD). I have just learned that Digestive Disease Week 2013 (May 18-21, Orlando, FL) will feature a panel discussion that NASSCD proposed titled “Are We Ready to Prevent Celiac Disease?”

Formed barely a year ago, the NASSCD has quickly become the recognized voice of the North American medical community on matters concerning celiac disease and gluten-related disorders. For example, NASSCD in 2012:

•    Led the medical community’s call for the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to establish gluten-free labeling standards without further delay;

•    Provided the FDA with a science-based argument against permitting prescription and OTC medications to contain pharmacological excipients derived from wheat, rye and barley;

•    Responded quickly and unambiguously with a statement critical of the introduction by Domino’s Pizza of a “gluten-free pizza” that may be unsafe for people with celiac disease;

•    Launched a feature on the society’s website that highlights research of particular significance for understanding and treating celiac disease and gluten-related disorders.

Directions in the New Year

In 2013, NASSCD will continue to foster policy, research and clinical initiatives that benefit our health care constituency. Priorities include:

•    Establishing partnerships with industry to promote communications and cooperation;

•    Supporting the newly collaborative efforts of patient support groups, which we look upon with great favor and interest;

•    Strengthening ties abroad, including with the International Society for the Study of Celiac Disease and others.

If you are not yet a member of NASSCD, I invite you to join today. If you are a member, I encourage you to participate activity in NASSCD projects that match your professional interests.

Please join us for NASSCD’s 2013 General Assembly, which will take place during the 15th Annual International Celiac Disease Symposium in Chicago (Sept. 22-25).

Last but not least, I thank NASSCD’s Executive Council for their extraordinary energy and commitment: Peter H.R. Green, M.D. (Columbia University); Chaitan Khosla, Ph.D. (Stanford University); Daniel A. Leffler, M.D., M.S. (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center); Edwin Liu, M.D. (Children’s Hospital Colorado); Joseph A. Murray, M.D. (Mayo Clinic), and Elena F. Verdú, M.D., Ph.D. (McMaster University.

All the best for 2013,
Stefano Guandalini, M.D.
University of Chicago Medical Center