Salinas, CA Johnson & Johnson Hires Bioethicist To Oversee New Drug Approval Committee

I was glad to read that Johnson & Johnson has appointed a well-known bioethicist to create a bioethics panel which will have the final decision on whether critically ill people can get access to new drugs before they are approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).  This will only apply to drugs made by J&J.  However, given the size of the drug maker, many people believe this will set a precedent and other companies will follow suit.  Dr. Caplan will not be paid and his decisions will not be influenced by the drug company.  There is currently a process for granting emergency access to drugs where the FDA signs off on the prescription, but the decision whether or not to give a patient the drug remains with the manufacturer.  Unfortunately, many drug companies haven't given critically ill patients drugs that have not yet received FDA approval because they fear litigation if something goes awry.  Hopefully J&J's new approach will bring much-needed drugs to patients.