US FDA Advisory Committees' Future: Drug-Agnostic Panels, More Debate Time

FDA Commissioner Califf and some top deputies are angling for more advisory panels that would influence drug development programs rather than approval decisions. Califf also wants to adjust meeting formats so advisors have more time for in-depth discussions.

FDA is looking to “float all boats” with future non-drug specific advisory panel topics. • Source: Shutterstock

US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf wants advisory committees using more time debating drug development topics that apply to multiple products, rather than the typical product-specific events.

A multiple-product approach could have both proposed OTC switches considered in one advisory panel meeting rather than one of 15...