09 Jan FDA scientists plea for agency reform
FDA scientists have lobbed a bombshell into the debate over new leadership and reform at the agency after President-elect Obama takes office. According to a letter nine of them wrote to Obama’s transition team, sweeping changes are necessary at the agency to banish a corrupt, anti-scientific culture.
The scientists say managers have demanded and intimidated FDA scientists to manipulate data, the Wall Street Journal reports, and honest employees can’t act with integrity without fear of reprisal. “There is an atmosphere at the FDA in which the honest employee fears the dishonest employee,” the letter states. The scientists say they’ve taken their concerns to Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach and others, but no action was taken.
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