bout time a review of the checks and balances of conflicts .. with pharma and so called special intrest... I feel more strigent policys need to be put in place and no waviers given out


Conflicts cause FDA to review advisory committees



http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/175/1/23


Critics have lately cast the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s scientific advisory panels as little more than partially owned subsidiaries of the pharmaceuticals industry. In fact, one influential US Congressman is so outraged by the degree to which panels are replete with scientists who sport financial conflicts of interest that for the second consecutive year, he has successfully attached a rider to the FDA budget that would prohibit the agency from using panelists so conflicted.

There was a story a year or two ago where this subject came up regarding a panel assembled in Illinois(?) concerning vaccinations. When they said no member should have any financial ties to Big Pharma, a doctor stated it would be near impossible because they all received one thing or another from them; free drugs, pens, pencils, that sort of stuff.

I remember another story, a first-hand account of a doctor going to some convention sponsored by a pharmaceutical company. IIRC he said everyone received about $15,000 in gifts.

Remember the EPA advisory board that classified second hand smoke a class A carcinogen against teh risk managers recommendation. That board was stacked with antis with ties to Big Pharma, Tobacco Control and ACS.