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US FDA Mulls Granting Regulated Industry Flexibility To Respond To Misinformation

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

The rapid pace with which inaccurate information can spread on social media may necessitate loosening some of FDA’s regulations on sponsors to let them respond, Commissioner Robert Califf said at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. Califf also worried about how legitimate debate can undermine public confidence in FDA.

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FDA Commissioner Califf hints at more permissive sponsor communication to address misinformation • Source: Shutterstock

US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf foreshadowed upcoming agency action that might give drug sponsors more ability to push back against bad actors who make false claims about their medical products without fear of retribution from regulators for violating federal rules around direct-to-consumer advertising.

Califf, speaking 10 January at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, laid out a strong critique of direct-to-consumer advertising for medical products: “I think it’s terrible,” he said.

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