The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is introducing guidelines to reduce potential conflicts of interest among members of its advisory committees.

In part, the regulations address a 2007 law that requires the agency to cut the number of advisers who have conflicts of interest by one-quarter over the next five years. According to the guidelines, committee members may not have financial ties to the topics under consideration. Those with financial interests totalling less than $50,000 would be eligible for waivers allowing them to participate.

The guidelines also instruct members of committees to vote simultaneously. Previously, members stated their votes aloud in succession, which could influence later voters. In addition, the FDA intends to make information about committee activities more accessible by posting related documents on its website prior to meetings.