Thursday, April 10, 2025 (Healthday News) – Weeks After Ordering Staff Back to the Office, The Us Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is Now Letting Some Employees Work from Home Again.
The Move Follows Major Staff Cuts and Resignations That Threaten The Agency’s Ability to Approve New Medicines Among Other Basic Functions, The Associated Press Reported.
An internal email shared with staff on tuesday said fda leadership are now “Allowing Review Staff and Supervisors to Side Telework” at Least Twice to Week.
Three Current Fda Employees Confirmed the New Policy to The ap. They Said Similar Rules Were Shared with Staff Who Handle Vaccines, Medical Devices and Biotech Drugs.
The decision Follows Major Disruptions in the Federal Health Workforce.
About 3,400 FDA Employees – More Than 15% of the Agency – Were Laid Off Last Week. The Cuts – By ELON MUSK‘S Department of Government Efficiency, or Doge – Are Part of The Broader Trump Administration Push to Slim Down the Federal Workforce.
ENTIRE TEAMS Working on FDA POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS WERE CUT. High-Level Officials in Charge of Drugs, Tobacco and Vaccines Have Also Been Let Go or Have Resigned.
“Devastating, Haphazard, Thoughtless and Chaotic,” is How Forer FDA Commissioner Dr. David KessleR Descred The Layoffs During a US House of Representatives Hearing.
The Telework Decision May Be Part of A Larger Effort by Newly Confermed FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary To Rebuild the Agency’s Staffing Efforts.
He made his first visit to fda headquarters one day after the mass layoffs, according to The Associated Press.
“Dr. Makary Needs to Rebuild Teams and Restart the Engine of Productivity Lost to Weeks of Job Insecurity, Uncerthy and Shortages of Team Members,” Steven Grossmanthe form hhs official, Said. “Turning Commuting Time Back into Work Time is a Great First Step in Achieving Both.”
The Cuts Dovetail with US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.‘S PLAN TO REDUCE THE HEALTH WORKFORCE BY 10,000 POSITIONS.
When he Announced that plan, Kennedy Said FDA Drug Reviewers and Safety Inspectors Wold not Be Affected. But many reviewers were among those cut or asked to leave, according to The ap.
MOST OF THESE REVIEWERS ARE FUNDED BY INDUSTRY FEES, NOT TAXPAYER MONEY. In Fact, Nearly Half of the FDA’s $ 7 Billion Budget Comes from Fees Paid by Drug, Device and Tobacco Companies. About 70% of the FDA’s Drug Program is paid for this way.
If Congress Cuts FDA’s Federal Funding Below A Right Level, The User Fee Agreements Say Companies Can Stop Paying Fees.
These aggregates, Which Support Most of the FDA’s Staff, Must Be Reneweed by Congress Every Five Years. Negotiations Between The FDA and Industry Groups to Renew Them Are Set to Begin Later This Year.
“I Don’t Think The Agency Nor Regulated Industry Can Afford for ‘User Fees’ Not to Be Reauthorized,” Michael Gabaan Attorney Who Advises FDA-Regulated Companies, Said.
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Learn More About The Role Of The US FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION.
Source: The Associated Press, April 9, 2025
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