Experts, Conflicts and the F.D.A
. The Food and Drug Administration relies on 49 expert committees to advise it on policy matters and on whether particular drugs or other medical products are safe and effective. The agency has made substantial progress in reducing conflicts of interest among members, and it is now pledging to search “far and wide” for neutral experts and to make more information public about any waivers it grants. That is all good news, provided the agency remains appropriately stingy in granting waivers as it struggles to fill a huge number of vacancies on those committees — roughly a third of more than 600 slots are open… Under a draft guidance document issued the same day as the letter, the agency plans to release crucial information that it previously withheld. Whenever a waiver is granted to a scientist, the agency will name the company or institution with which the scientist has financial interests, along with the rough amount of that interest. We would prefer no conflicts at all. But more disclosure is better. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/05/opinion/05wed3.html
FDAT
