Baldwin Blasts FDA Consultant For Pharma Ties

Sen. Tammy Baldwin has joined a group of other senators, led by Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, calling for an investigation into why a global consulting firm didn’t disclose conflicts of interest related to the opioid industry. McKinsey & Company, a global consulting firm, worked with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on opioid-related issues, while simultaneously working for numerous drug companies including Purdue Pharma.

Companies like Purdue have been long under pressure for their role in seeding overdose crises across the nation. Purdue, which was once owned by the mega-wealthy Sackler family, gained notoriety for its Oxycotin products.

Years after the drugs were first introduced to the market, overdose is now one of the leading causes of death. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office is projecting the county will see 704 drug overdose deaths by year’s end, which  would be another record-breaking figure.

While some focus on the companies that make the drugs, others focus on how they have influenced  regulation.

“While working for clients involved in manufacturing, distributing, and selling opioids, McKinsey simultaneously worked on projects for FDA, including projects for the FDA center responsible for approving new drugs,” the senators wrote to Christi Grimm, inspector general for the Department of Health and Human Services.

“Despite these reports,” the letter states, “FDA did not conduct any additional contract reviews or discuss with McKinsey conflicts of interest and the firm’s failure to disclose them in earlier contract applications. Furthermore, it is unclear whether the FDA has altered or improved its processes and procedures to prevent similar nondisclosure’s of conflicts of interest in future contracts.”

McKinsey has not yet returned a request for comment.

Baldwin and others blast consulting firm’s work with opioid industry was originally published by the Wisconsin Examiner.