A duo of House Energy & Commerce Committee Republicans announced this week that they plan to take a closer look at the FDA’s life sciences initiatives, suggesting that the agency may need an advisory panel to watch its performance.
Reps. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) and Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) committed to taking a stronger hand in oversight of the FDA, particularly the way the agency handles innovative new products, drugs and biologics, Healthwatch reported.
The Reps. suggested the establishment of an advisory panel, similar to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, to review FDA performance in search of areas of potential improvement.
"Although the FDA is under the administrative branch, we are responsible for the product that they produce," Burgess told reporters. "We darn sure better have the oversight of what they’re doing, and why they’re doing it."
Burgess and Pitts have in the past been active in FDA issues, especially Pitts. In June 2012 Pitts vowed to keep a close eye on the FDA, telling MassDevice.com that he was going to ensure that the FDA delivers on promises made to medical device makers during user fee negotiations.
The Reps aren’t alone in calling for an independent panel to review the FDA’s activities. Earlier this month noted cardiologist Dr. Robert Hauser told MassDevice.com that he’s prepared to head to Capitol Hill personally to advocate for a change in the way the FDA monitors medical device and drugs once they hit the U.S. market. Hauser’s proposal would establish a complementary agency, which he likened to the National Transportation Safety Board, that would take post-market surveillance responsibilities away from the FDA.
