This past week the FDA held their first Transparency Taskforce meeting headed up by Deputy FDA Commissioner Joshua Sharfstein. The interesting thing about the meeting is those that presented were either industry groups or anti-industry, but little representation from the middle.
This is not surprising given that Sharfstein’s early carrier included stents with Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and the Ralph Nader Group (Public Citizen's Health Watch).
Industry groups included AdvaMed, PhRMA, Natural Products Association, Device Manufactures Association, Biotechnology Industry Association.
Anti Industry groups include: Consumers Union, Pew Prescription Project, Natural Resources Defense Council, Public Citizen, The Senior Citizens League, and Center for Science in the Public Interest.
It is disappointing for the low representation from researchers, educators, and real patient organizations. But this is largely because the groups speaking sent in the longest comments. Everyone agreed that the FDA needs more transparency, it is all in how you define that transparency.
To link to any of the presentations:
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Welcome and Introductory Comments Panel 1 Panel 2 Panel 3 Panel 4 Panel 5 |
Panel 6 Panel 7 Panel 8 Panel 9 |