Originally published in icon Issue 1 2007
According to comment in the Lancet, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration in USA) abuses its drug approval system rather more than people think. When new drugs are up for approval they are supposed to go before an independent advisory panel. Last year alone the FDA over-ruled this panel in 28 per cent of cases. Three years ago the 550 person FDA was so short staffed it was loaned a further 750 staff - all on three year secondment. Where from? The pharmaceutical companies, no less.
Unfortunately for UK patients, when a drug has FDA approval, it is virtually guaranteed UK approval.