Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed new rules under which the outside experts will have to disclose any financial connections with industry which they review. The move will help to reduce the conflicts of interest among outside experts who propose drugs and other regulated products for approval of the government. The disclosure documents are not routinely released under the current system.

The new rules are proposed after increased political pressure from Congress to make the FDA approval process more transparent. Some Democrat leaders have urged FDA to ban scientists from the review panels who have potential conflicts.
FDA will require outside experts to fill out a form to disclose any potential conflicts. The form will ask the experts to explain why they should be allowed to review the products or drugs to FDA. The disclosure form will be posted on the official website of FDA at least 15 days before the meeting of committee.

Under the current system, FDA considers the potential conflicts raised by outside advisers and grants a waiver in case it finds the expert’s views helpful in determining the fate of the products.

General public will be allowed to comment or express their views for 60 days in favor or against the proposed rules. FDA will then make a final decision regarding the new rules. FDA may also accept some of the rules with modifications.