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# Probe FDA ‘Cozy Relationship’ with Pharma: Rep. Harris
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/probe-fda-cozy-relationship-with-pharma-rep-harris/
- Published: 2023-12-06T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T14:17:55.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5155930

Rep. **Andy Harris** (R-MD) says a “cozy relationship” between FDA and drug companies may be a reason the agency took 10 years to act on phenylephrine, a popular nasal decongestant that has been found to be ineffective. Speaking on the Newsmax “National Report,” Harris [said](https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/andy-harris-newsmax-fda/2023/12/06/id/1145007/?ref=fdaweb.com), “I don’t know why FDA took so long, the evidence has been there for over 10 years. We have to get to the bottom of why FDA has allowed an ineffective decongestant to be available on the market for 10 years when pseudoephedrine, which is what it replaces, \[is\] effective \[and\] still available, usually behind the counter.”

The former anesthesiologist who is a member of the GOP Doctors Caucus said, “We have to find out whether there’s this revolving door between FDA and the pharmaceutical industry…the regulators who become drug company employees and vice versa, we have to find out whether that’s behind it.”