The FDA is planning to let some blue sky into its advisory committees. In an attempt to stifle conflicts of interest [1], the agency wants to tell the public about any advisory committee member's financial ties to the drug industry.

Now, experts who advise the agency on drugs and other products have to disclose these financial relationships. If the FDA chooses to allow the expert onto the committee anyway, it has to announce that it's granted that person a waiver. But details of the financial relationships aren't shared. Last year, a study showed [2] that a quarter of the advisory-committee experts had a financial conflict. Only 1 percent of them were excluded from serving.

- check out the FDA's release [3]
- read the report [4] from the Associated Press

Related Articles:
FDA grapples with new conflict rules. Report [5]
Study ties FDA experts to companies. Report [6]
Medical societies shunning pharma support. Report [7]