A Better FDA? Why Not?

December 11, 2011


A Better FDA?

Is FDA necessary? Most people I know would say yes. We need a strong, independent, effective FDA. Does FDA need improvements? Again, most people I know can point to numerous issues that FDA could handle better. Today, in the Business Section of the New York Times, there is an article on why we need government and the benefits of better government. Yes, the article by Robert H. Frank is about the Tompkins County New York Department of Moter Vehicles, but he outlines some basic principles for better government. Like better use of technology to make government more efficient. FDA is making similar efforts regarding technology. That’s great and I encourage the development. Here are three other areas that I think that FDA can improve:

1. Consistent training for field investigators (CSOs or Consumer Safety Officers). Many times people tell me of an FDA inspection in Salt Lake City that is entirely different from another inspection I have heard of in Tampa, FL. Different CSOs have completely different approaches and conduct the same type of inspection by looking at completely different documents. There are many excellent, experienced CSOs but when different clinical sites or sponsors hear differing viewpoints from CSOs, that isn’t good for compliance or best practices.

2. Changing requirements by review divisions. FDA will tell a sponsor to conduct a study with certain endpoints in order to prove safety and efficacy for their investigational product. Then, as the sponsor is preparing for their application, the rules change. This can cost a sponsor years of frustration and millions of dollars. Yes, safety concerns need to be addressed, but sponsors need to know the rules in advance, and have a reasonable expectation of those rules staying in place.

3. Effective mechanisms for corrective actions. FDA has a Warning Letter close out process. However, it is not evenly applied by different Centers and for different program areas. Regulated industry should have a clear path to performing corrective actions that are meaningful.

So those are my thoughts. I would love to hear yours. Please leave a comment.


One additional point: My wife, Cathy J. Tashiro, just had her book come out in paperback. No, it has nothing to do with GxPs or clinical trials, she is a sociologist. Her book is:

Standing on Both Feet: Stories of Older Mixed Race Americans


Read the NY Times article on effective government

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