How FDA can regain public trust eroded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Hastings Center has released a report outlining key reforms for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regain public trust eroded during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report suggests the FDA should implement consistent rules, ensure decisions are made by appropriate personnel, and prevent political interference. While acknowledging some prior reforms, the report recommends the FDA establish a “coherent agenda” to enhance its trustworthiness. It emphasizes the importance of transparency, citing the FDA’s effective guidance for COVID-19 vaccine development. The authors advocate for decisions to involve both scientific and political expertise, with a focus on maintaining independence and adopting organizational structures similar to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Additionally, the report recommends detailed reasoning for rejecting expert advisory committee decisions to avoid controversy and investigations.