Health · Healthcare & Policy · 4 hrs ago
Study finds pharma-funded group links among FDA panel representatives
A study found links between some FDA panel representatives and drugmaker-funded groups.
These patient and consumer representatives advise expert panels at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which reviews medicines.
Researchers examined nearly 240 meetings of 12 FDA committees from 2013 to 2022.
Nearly 40% of meetings included a patient or consumer representative linked to a pharma-funded advocacy group.
One in 10 medicine review meetings included a representative affiliated with a group supported by the company whose drug was under review.
The researchers said these ties were often not disclosed, raising concerns about possible industry influence, though the study does not show that representatives’ views or votes were affected.
Such links do not require members to step aside under federal ethics rules, but they can create an appearance of bias.
The researchers called for closer FDA scrutiny of these relationships.
A review found that nearly 40% of FDA advisory committee meetings included a patient or consumer representative with active ties to an advocacy group funded by drugmakers.
One in 10 drug review meetings included a representative affiliated with an organization receiving support from the drug company involved.
The researchers reviewed nearly 240 meetings of 12 FDA advisory committees from 2013 to 2022.
They said the ties were often not disclosed and could create a risk of undue industry influence.
Lead author Genevieve Kanter said closer scrutiny by the FDA may be needed.
- Who
- Researchers, including lead author Genevieve Kanter, studied patient and consumer representatives advising FDA expert panels.
- What
- A study found that representatives often had ties to advocacy groups funded by pharmaceutical companies. The ties were often not disclosed.
- When
- The study reviewed meetings from 2013 to 2022 and was reported on October 21, 2026.
- Where
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committees.
- Why
- The researchers examined whether representatives had links to industry-funded advocacy groups that could create a risk of undue influence.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Researchers reviewed nearly 240 meetings of 12 FDA advisory committees.
The University of Southern California issued a press release about the study.
Infobae and Medical Xpress reported on the study.
- Meetings reviewed
- Nearly 240
- Advisory committees reviewed
- 12
- Review period
- 2013–2022
- Meetings with a linked patient or consumer representative
- Nearly 40%
- Drug review meetings with a representative linked to an organization supported by the drug company
- 1 in 10
2 sources
What people are saying
The relationships may represent a source of undue industry influence on advisory committees that the public—and in some cases, the FDA itself—may not know about.
Given how dependent some patient organizations are on industry support, it is reasonable to question whether these relationships may affect how patient representatives vote.