A majority of former and current FDA advisory committee members surveyed in July supported remote participation in meetings and better communication, as the FDA considers reforms to its committees of outside experts.
More than 400 past and present committee members weighed in on key topics raised during a public FDA meeting in June on “optimizing” the use and process of its advisory committees. The survey was conducted by 3D Communications, a consultancy that works with companies participating in advisory committees.
While FDA Commissioner Robert Califf has previously questioned the necessity of committee votes, 95% of survey respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the agency should continue to have a voting question on benefit and risk. Top FDA officials suggested in February that changes to the advisory committee process won’t completely eliminate votes.
When it comes to the composition of advisory committees, 90% of respondents said the FDA should allow subject
