Recently,
there have been after-the-fact revelations that some outside
experts who serve on FDA advisory committees have financial
ties to companies that make the products under their review.
For example, early this year two FDA advisory committees
jointly decided that Pfizer's popular arthritis drugs,
Celebrex and Bextra, could remain on the market. And Merck
might be allowed to return its arthritis drug, Vioxx to
the market. A surprising judgment considering that all
three belong to the same drug class, known as cox-2 inhibitors,
which are associated with an increased number of heart
attacks and strokes. [for
more on Cox-2's and FDA hearings click here ] What's
more, all three are expensive and no more effective than
older arthritis drugs sold over the counter.
After
these decisions were made, it was revealed that 10 of
32 experts who sat on the two FDA advisory committees
had financial ties to companies that produce these drugs.
Had their votes been excluded, two of the three drugs
under review would, very likely, not have remained on
the market.
The
Center for Medical Consumers recently joined other public
interest organizations in supporting legislation that
would prohibit scientists and physicians with financial
ties to industry from serving on FDA advisory committees.
In June 2005, the U.S. House of Representative passed
an amendment to the FDA/USDA appropriations bill, which
would prohibit experts from serving on FDA advisory panels
if they have financial ties to companies that make food,
drugs or medical devices that would come under their review.
The measure was introduced by Congressman Maurice Hinchey
(D-NY) and had bipartisan support. We have urged the Senate
to pass this legislation, too. [click
to read letter to Senator Durbin ]
Arthur
A. Levin, MPH, Center for Medical Consumers © July
2005
