FDA scientists conclude public health not adequately protected

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The FDA's prime responsibility is to insure that the public is protected from unsafe drugs and medical devices. Recent studies suggest that the FDA is falling well short of it's goal. Even more surprising, these concerns have been raised from within the FDA itself.

Today, the Union of Concerned Scientists released a survey noting that more than a third of FDA scientists said agency officials cared more about rushing new drugs and medical devices to market than assuring they were safe. A similar number of FDA scientists are concerned that the agency is not adequately protecting public health.

Top agency officials and drug companies are trying to increase the FDA's authority to prevent injured people from suing companies that produce dangerous drugs. The survey released today shows why that is a bad and dangerous idea.