News
New law aims to distance the FDA from the drug industry
By Jeanne Lenzer
01 January 2006
Legislation aimed at ending the close relationship between the US Food and Drug Administration and the drug industry was introduced last week in the House of Representatives by Congressman Maurice Hinchey (Democrat) of New York.
The Food and Drug Administration Improvement Act 2005 has been endorsed by the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, DC, a non-profit education and advocacy organisation. Merrill Goozner, director of the centre's integrity in science project, said it was "exactly what is needed to restore public confidence in the FDA."
The bill includes several provisions aimed at ending financial conflicts of interest. Drug companies would still be expected to pay fees but they would be paid to a general fund of the US Treasury. The bill prohibits the FDA from negotiating with drug companies about how it uses funds and it "terminates all previous agreements between FDA and such companies."
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