FDA advisers were paid $10 000 to $1.9m for future industry work

The Food and Drug Administration’s drug approval process may be tainted by financial conflicts of interest with drug companies that are based not only on present and past ties but also on future ones that may be created.

An investigation by the journal Science1 identified 107 physician advisers who served on FDA advisory committees and matched them with financial ties with industry that were declared in journal articles and other sources, including the federal Open Payments website during 2013-16.

It found that 40 of those advisers who had reviewed a drug application from a company or competitor later received over $10 000 (£7570: €8590) from …