Although FDA strives to have broadrepresentation of appropriate medical and scientific specialties on its advisory committees, optimal representation is often difficult to achieve given the strict conflict-of-interest regulations that apply, as well as calendar conflicts, which may limit the availability of experts for the selected meeting dates.
The remaining 440 places are parcelled out among political parties, civil-rights groups, tribes and (of course) the entire 100-member preparatory committee, ensuring broad-based representation.