December 16, 2004

Congressman becomes Big Pharma Honcho

"The appearance is terrible. A chief architect of the Medicare prescription drug legislation is now going to represent the chief beneficiary of the bill. This will only reinforce the public's disillusionment with Congress." That's what Congressman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) says about former Congressman Billy Tauzin (R-La.) becoming president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical and Research Manufacturers of America or PhRMA.

Meantime, the Washington Post reports that almost one out of five FDA scientists surveyed two years ago said they had been pressured to recommend approval of a new drug despite reservations about its safety, effectiveness or quality.

Public confidence in Congress and in the FDA? Entanglement of interests? These questions are popping up every day.

Posted by schwitz at December 16, 2004 12:09 PM
Comments

what are your sources?

Posted by: reader at December 20, 2004 12:11 AM
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