Lecture to examine safety and effectiveness of FDA

     The withdrawal of the Vioxx drug reminds us that drug safety is a continuing concern. Dramatic tragedies in the past have often led to greater FDA powers and responsibilities, but they have also unleashed a series of unintended consequences.
     Dr. Alex Tabarrok, associate professor at George Mason University and director of research for The Independent Institute, will deliver the lecture for Campbell’s Lundy-Fetterman School of Business Politics, Law and Economics lecture series Friday, March 24, at 6:30 p.m. in Room 124 of Campbell’s RTP campus in Morrisville, N.C. The lecture is free and open to the public.
     Tabarrok will discuss the effectiveness of the FDA and the consequences caused by the federal agency’s increase in power. Among the questions he will address are: What does off-label prescribing and the experience of other countries tell us about the FDA process? What do doctors think about the FDA? And should the FDA be reformed and how? Tabarrok is co-author of the Web site, FDAReview.org, an extensive resource on the history, policies and potential reform of the FDA.
     Campbell’s RTP campus is located at 808 Aviation Parkway, Suite 1100 in Morrisville, N.C. A reception will follow.