U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary announced that employees of pharmaceutical companies will no longer serve as members of the agency's advisory committees.
His comments were made during an appearance this week on The Megyn Kelly Show.
"Today we are announcing that we are removing industry members—Pharma members—from FDA advisory committees," said Makary.
He said that while pharmaceutical representatives can still attend meetings and pose questions, they will no longer hold official committee positions, and that this move is designed to foster "radical transparency" and address concerns about the close relationships between regulators and the industries they oversee.
Dr. Makary's appointment as the 27th Commissioner of the FDA was confirmed by the U.S. Senate with a 56–44 vote on March 25. A renowned surgeon and health policy expert, he previously served at Johns Hopkins University and has been a vocal advocate for healthcare reform and patient safety.
He said the new policy also includes plans to increase the participation of patients and caregivers in advisory roles, ensuring that the FDA's decisions are informed by diverse perspectives.
The FDA is a federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services responsible for protecting public health by regulating the safety, efficacy, and security of drugs, biological products, medical devices, food, cosmetics, and tobacco products. Founded in 1906 with the passage of the Pure Food and Drugs Act, the FDA also oversees clinical trials, approves new medical treatments, monitors product recalls, and enforces regulations to ensure that products reaching the public meet established scientific standards.
