government
Tobacco companies sue over government safety panel
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 14, 2011
Two major tobacco companies have sued the federal government, challenging the objectivity of an advisory panel that will make safety recommendations on tobacco products.
R.J. Reynolds and Lorillard filed the complaint Feb. 25 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against several government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration and the Dept. of Health and Human Services. The tobacco companies are questioning the neutrality of an advisory panel created to help direct the enforcement of the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.
The panel, known as the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee, will provide advice to HHS on cigarettes and tobacco-related issues. It is scheduled to file a key report on menthol cigarette flavoring in March.
The lawsuit alleges that some members of the committee have been paid as expert witnesses for legal claims against tobacco companies and therefore have conflicting interests.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/03/14/gvbf0314.htm.
