For all its faults, FDA is pretty good all things considered, especially considering the lack of resources they have to do their job. The reviewers are often helpful and the conversations are very scientifically focused and objective. There are many controls within FDA to prevent corruption or outsiders to influence policy.

That said, ive been involved with some decisions where FDA has clearly made questionable decisions that have set back innovation for no good reason. There are also many lobbyists pleading their case to FDA, but congress has very limited power to influence in most cases other than by writing laws (which i think is as it should be)

Many companies that complain about fDA simply havent done their homework or are pushing shoddy science