All articles tagged with #advisory committees
Advisory panels are playing a smaller public role as drug regulatory decisions grow more contentious, with a Trump-era private briefing in which an FDA official anonymously criticized UniQure’s Huntington’s disease therapy illustrating a shift toward nonpublic decision-making and sparking calls for greater transparency from patients and clinicians.
NASA will end funding for eight planetary science advisory groups by the end of April as part of a broader squeeze on advisory structures and a tight Planetary Science Division budget. The groups may continue to operate on their own, potentially under new names, with NASA offering limited support (e.g., travel for students). NASA also plans to replace multiple advisory bodies with a single all-discipline science advisory committee, reflecting a wider federal effort to reduce advisory panels.
Louisiana Governor-elect Jeff Landry has announced the formation of an advisory committee focused on New Orleans, signaling that the city will be a priority for his administration. The committee, led by businessman Boysie Bollinger, will address issues such as crime and economic development. Landry expressed his desire for New Orleans to operate like other successful Southern cities, but his history of antagonizing the city's political leadership has raised questions about his intentions. While it remains unclear what actions Landry may take, he has previously indicated a willingness to exercise his authority over local elected officials.
New research indicates a decline in the number of advisory committee meetings held by the FDA in recent years, with a decrease in meetings involving votes on initial drug approvals. The FDA is exploring reforms to ensure more timely and sound advice, and the agency's commissioner has suggested there may be fewer votes at future meetings.