DeLauro Statement on the FDA Proposal to Address Conflicts of Interest

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) issued the following comment on the FDA's rollout of its new proposal to strengthen conflict of interest rules for advisory committees.

"Having the FDA at least acknowledge that conflicts of interest on their advisory committees are a problem is a step forward, but I am skeptical of their proposal given their recent track record of putting political and corporate interests above science. I am concerned that a closer inspection of the plan's details will reveal the loopholes that would render it toothless.

"The pharmaceutical industry argues that interactions between drug companies and doctors who serve on these advisory committees are beneficial. It is beneficial - to drug companies. In fact, research consistently shows that doctors with close ties to the pharmaceutical industry write more prescriptions, usually for newer and pricier drugs. It would be very troubling if these doctors were also serving on an advisory committee and have the potential of reviewing data in a way that favors the industry over the patient.

"This is going to be one of the many FDA issues that the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee will focus on in this year's bill and we intend to examine closely efforts in states like Minnesota , Maine and California , which enacted laws that require drug companies to disclose payments to doctors. It is time to end the influence drug companies have in our doctor's offices and at the FDA."

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