As it wrestles with the drug’s safety issues, including public disagreements about them within its own ranks, FDA referred in July to the HHS Office of Inspector General the case of an Avandia advisory committee panel member who had an alleged conflict of interest related to previous work performed on behalf of GlaxoSmithKline that was not disclosed.

Endocrinologist David Capuzzi was one of only three committee members to vote to recommend that Avandia remain on the market with no new labeling or restrictions on its use. He reportedly received payments from GSK for speaking engagements he performed for them.

“FDA has completed its fact-gathering process and has referred the Dr. Capuzzi matter to the HHS Office of Inspector General,” FDA spokeswoman Karen Riley said. “FDA is prohibited by law to release Dr. Capuzzi’s or any member’s confidential financial disclosure form.”

Capuzzi has said he wasn’t specifically asked about his work with GSK that involved an unrelated drug. Capuzzi also said that in his own practice he doesn’t prescribe Avandia or any newer diabetes drug, preferring to use older metformin drugs.