Profession
FDA may have to disclose scientists' financial ties
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 21, 2005
A measure requiring the Food and Drug Administration to give the public 15 days notice of any potential conflicts of interest for scientists sitting on its 30 advisory panels was included in an agriculture appropriations bill Congress passed in early November.
With President Bush's signature, it would become law. He expressed support for an earlier version of the appropriations bill in June.
Under the new rules, the FDA would need to provide a list of any conflict-of-interest waivers given to empanelled scientists, and describe the nature of the conflict, 15 days before the advisory committee meets. Previously, the information was available only through the Freedom of Information Act.
Consumer advocacy groups have complained that the FDA has been reluctant and slow to release information about scientists or physicians who reviewed drugs or devices made by companies to which they had financial ties.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/11/21/prbf1121.htm.
