If this is true, that’s a wow.
A definite wow.
They only regulate. They do not research anything except the paperwork they are given by drug companies. They are involved in the study design for new drugs but have very little to do with the study itself. They just record submissions from various testing sites. Then after a drug meets the criteria for safety and efficacy and novelty of a new drug, they hire some “independent” researchers, who may be conflicted in that they have worked in this area of expertise as a consultant or grantee (sometimes clinicians) to serve as a review board and vote on whether to approve the new drug. The FDA has the final say but usually go with the review board vote. Once in a while they may ask for more study or clarification.
Yes it can often be politicized by whom they select for the review board. Or they can find a technicality and reject and application or ignore obvious errors and approve one. It comes down to the drug design, the results, and then some juice to get it approved.