An investigation published in the BMJ on Monday reveals the “revolving door” between the US Food and Drug Administration and the pharmaceutical industry. FDA employees, including high-level officials, often leave the agency to work for pharmaceutical companies, potentially creating conflicts of interest and raising concerns about the influence of industry on regulatory decisions.
Also revealed by the BMJ investigation, from internal emails, is that staff departing the FDA are given guidance on how to lobby for industry without falling foul of US law which prohibits certain lobbying acts.
Emails obtained in response to a Freedom of Information Act request show how the FDA provides guidance to departing employees on how they can work “behind the scenes” for industry after leaving the agency and, despite restrictions on post-employment lobbying, they are still permitted to influence the agency.
The FDA’s ethics staff proactively informed these departing employees that although US law prohibits certain types of lobbying contact “they do not prohibit the former employee from other activities, including working ‘behind the scenes’.”
Hellbound and Down 