Study finds nearly 40% of FDA advisory panels include reps linked to pharma-funded advocacy groups

A new analysis published in Health Affairs Scholar examined FDA advisory committee meetings over the past 20 years and found that almost 40% featured a patient or consumer representative with active ties to an advocacy group that receives funding from pharmaceutical companies.

In some committees, more than half of the patient or consumer members had such connections. Additionally, over 10% of meetings included a representative whose organization was funded by the specific drug maker whose product was under review.

Most of these financial relationships were not disclosed during the meetings, raising concerns that undisclosed conflicts could influence voting behavior and highlight gaps in the FDA’s conflict‑of‑interest policies.