FDA moves to end conflicts of interest among its advisers

WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration won't include outside specialists on its advisory panels if they have a personal financial stake of more than $50,000 in a company affected by a matter under discussion, the agency said yesterday.

The FDA may allow a specialist with a lesser financial interest to participate if there is "an essential need for the adviser's particular expertise."

The FDA has been criticized by lawmakers and consumer groups for allowing doctors and scientists with ties to drug and medical device makers to vote on recommendations about products from those companies. The FDA proposed the new limits last year, and yesterday's announcement makes final similar restrictions.

"It's imperative that we seek advice from independent experts, and that we do so in a way that is public, open, and transparent," said Randall Lutter, deputy commissioner for policy.

Representative Maurice Hinchey, a New York Democrat, praised the policy but said the FDA should go further: "This country is filled with an extraordinary number of brilliant minds, and there is no reason the FDA can't fill its advisory panels with experts who have no financial conflicts of interest whatsoever."