FDA advisory panels: 40% of meetings had patient reps with industry-linked advocacy ties

A new analysis of FDA advisory committee meetings over two decades found that nearly 40% included a patient or consumer representative with active ties to an advocacy group, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest in regulatory decisions. The study's methodology and the specific nature of the ties are not fully detailed, and the impact on actual FDA decisions remains unclear. This matters because it could undermine public trust in drug and device approvals and prompt calls for stricter disclosure rules.