In a significant development, two members of Congress have formally requested an investigation by the inspector general regarding the ethical conduct of Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, the top federal regulator overseeing medical devices such as pacemakers and artificial hips. The inquiry stems from concerns about potential conflicts of interest due to the overlapping professional responsibilities of Dr. Shuren and his wife, Allison Shuren, who is a prominent attorney representing device companies at the respected Washington law firm Arnold & Porter.
The lawmakers seeking the investigation are Representative Anna Eshoo, a Democrat from California and ranking member of the health subcommittee, and Representative Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat from Connecticut and ranking member of the appropriations committee. Their letter to the inspector general highlights findings from an investigative report by The New York Times, which revealed numerous instances where the professional activities of the couple intersected, potentially leading to ethical dilemmas that could have warranted Dr. Shuren’s recusal from certain matters.
The FDA has acknowledged certain ethics violations in this context, admitting that Dr. Shuren should have either refrained from participating in specific cases or sought prior approval to engage in them, in order to mitigate any appearance of bias.
The letter from the congresswomen emphasized the necessity for a thorough and impartial investigation, stating, “In circumstances such as these, the only way to get to the truth and be fair both to the public and Dr. Shuren is through an independent review of the matter to determine whether this is simply an appearance of impropriety or actual inappropriate and unethical conduct.”
A spokeswoman for the inspector general’s office at the Health and Human Services Department confirmed that the letter was received on Tuesday and stated, “We are reviewing it for appropriate action.”
