Recent FDA votes underscore pervasive drug company conflicts

The FDA expert panel's 8-1 vote to recommend approval of Pargluva, a new diabetes drug from Bristol-Myers, underscored the conflicts that still exist for many panel members who continue to work for the drug companies they are helping regulate. Four members of the panel that recommended the diabetes drug Exubera last week, for example, have done consulting work or own drug company stock affected by their decision. Meanwhile, the one cardiologist on the FDA's panel reviewing Pargluva decided to sit out the vote, concerned that his work for Bristol-Myers would be seen as a conflict. That has raised other concerns that needed expertise may not be available when conflicts force some physicians from participating.

- read this story from The New York Times for more