On August 20, 2004, WLF asked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reform policies that are unjustifiably deterring medical innovations and/or communications about those innovations. In comments filed in connection with HHS’s formation of a task force looking into barriers to innovations, WLF suggested several reform measures. In particular, WLF recommended that FDA take the lead in formulating government policy in defining permissible manufacturer behavior regarding the promotion of innovative products. WLF charged that individual federal prosecutors have wreaked havoc by prosecuting manufacturers for promotional activity that had previously been viewed as wholly acceptable; WLF argued that FDA must take the lead so that clear and uniform promotion standards can be adopted. WLF filed its comments on behalf of several patient advocacy groups.