FDA staff flag peptide conflict concerns and warn drug ad rule could curb advertising

FDA staff have raised internal concerns about potential conflicts of interest among experts who will sit on an upcoming advisory panel reviewing peptide therapies. The staff memo warns that undisclosed ties could affect the panel’s impartiality.

A leading Democratic lawmaker has called for a congressional investigation into how recent budget cuts, dubbed "DOGE," are impacting the FDA’s ability to carry out its mission. The request seeks greater oversight of the agency’s funding and operations.

The agency’s acting commissioner has reversed several policies introduced by his predecessor, while outside experts caution that the FDA’s proposal to drop the "adequate provision" requirement in direct-to-consumer drug ads could effectively end most prescription-drug advertising. They argue the change would raise costs and make ads harder for consumers to understand.