“The pharmaceutical companies have more power over the White House and Congress than any other industry in America,” said Congressman Berry. “We are letting private interests guide our most important decisions regarding consumer safety. It is time we put our foot down and stop pharmaceutical companies from profiting at the expense of American lives.”

Today’s amendment would have prohibited the FDA from overriding current conflict-of-interest prohibitions. The FDA routinely waives these prohibitions for scientists who evaluate the safety of prescription drugs. On the advisory panel responsible for reviewing Vioxx, Celebrex, and Bextra, for example, 10 of the 32 scientists had ties to the companies manufacturing the drugs. In another case, three scientists evaluating the link between antidepressants and suicide had actually been paid by the manufacturers of antidepressant medication.

“For an independent agency, there are far too many stories of bias and financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry” said Congressman Berry. “I find it hard to believe that the FDA cannot find qualified scientists who are willing to put the interests of the American consumer first.”

Congressman Berry also introduced legislation earlier this year that would increase regulation of FDA’s practices. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Accountability Act would prevent drug manufacturers from withholding information on the safety of their products from the FDA. The legislation would establish jail sentences and large fines for any company executive that refuses to disclose information on the adverse effects of prescription drugs.