Yesterday, I mentioned the UCS survey of FDA scientists. Today, the results have been released to the public.
Some findings:
- Almost one in five (18 percent) responded, "I have been asked, for non-scientific reasons, to inappropriately exclude or alter technical information or my conclusions in an FDA scientific document."
- More than three in five (61 percent) respondents know of cases where "Department of Health and Human Services or FDA political appointees have inappropriately injected themselves into FDA determinations or actions."
- Three in five (60 percent) also knew of cases "where commercial interests have inappropriately induced or attempted to induce the reversal, withdrawal or modification of FDA determinations or actions." Fifty percent also felt that non-governmental interests (such as advocacy groups) had induced or attempted to induce such changes.
- Less than half (47 percent) think that the "FDA routinely provides complete and accurate information to the public."
- Two in five (40 percent) said they could not publicly express "concerns about public health without fear of retaliation." More than a third (36 percent) did not feel they could do so even in the confines of the agency.
You can read more here.
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it's just not surprising, is it? glad to see some numbers come out of it.....i''m sure we'll be seeing more 'admitting' incidents in the future. good on the one's with their eyes open and not afraid to answer this survey. hopefully in the future there will be enough strength to 'just say no'.