Letter: The Next FDA
The New England Journal of Medicine just published an editorial arguing that trust has been lost, and must be restored in the FDA. If America overcomes voter suppression, and we manage to get rid of President Trump, we will have a chance at achieving that goal, but we will need pressing President-Elect Biden to fill the FDA with scientists rather than lobbyists. If the public is ever going to regain confidence in treatments and vaccines after this administration, it will not come from business-as-usual democratic appointees.
The FDA also just took an important step in restoring trust by announcing that clinical trials will not be fast-tracked. In spite of that, irrational conspiracies will not be remedied by that scientifically wise choice. Restoring trust will take a long-term public health communication plan.
If Biden chooses another industry lobbyist -or someone coming through the revolving door- it could cause legitimate fear that clinical trials were rushed for pharma’s profits. Coronavirus treatments must protect American consumers. We will be protected best by Biden choosing someone who demands a scientifically responsible approval process.
- Nate Craig
