Open for Comment: Should Conflict of Interest at FDA be Criminalized?
PeterB
As the new US administration repeals the influence of corporate
lobbys, I believe it must also criminalize the holding of stock by
legislators whose decisions affect the industries they regulate, and
this must be extended to FDA bureaucrats whose decisions affect human
life. While FDA is not an "independent corporation," as a
bureaucratic entity governed by former drug maker executives, as well
as the recipient of industry funds supporting much of its operations,
it is, in fact, acting like one. In my opinion, the pharmaceutical
industry (like private insurance) should never have been allowed to
enter the public markets or to operate as a for-profit enterprise.
Virtually all drugs are marketed without benefit of risk-adjusted
health outcomes and are not scientifically proven to effectively
treat, prevent or cure disease. Drugs that may be proven to preserve
or extend life can be easily managed by a consortium of non-profit
interests under public oversight and governance. Your comments are
requested on any aspect of the discussion.