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News & Analysis | REG•WATCH Blog | Press Room
Thursday, December 16, 2004
FDA Scientists Feel Pressure to Pass Unsafe Drugs
According to an HHS survey, one fifth of FDA scientists surveyed two years ago said they felt pressured approve new drugs despite reservations about the drug's safety or efficacy. The survey supports testimony by Dr. John Graham last month that he was pressured to change his conclusions about the dangers of Vioxx. From the Washington Post:
The survey of almost 400 scientists also found that a majority had significant doubts about the adequacy of federal programs to monitor prescription drugs once they are on the market, and that more than a third were not particularly confident of the agency's ability to assess the safety of a drug.
The results of the survey, conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services' inspector general, appear to support some portions of the controversial Senate testimony last month by FDA safety officer David J. Graham. The 20-year agency veteran told senators that the FDA was unable to keep some unsafe drugs off the market, and that scientists who dissented about drug safety and effectiveness were sometimes pressured and intimidated.
Posted by Genevieve Smith
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