Connect with us

cct-tracking

FDA Employees in Food Safety, Medical Devices, and Tobacco Products Hit Hard by Trump Administration Cuts

Published

on

Trump administration cuts reach FDA employees in food safety, medical devices and tobacco products


The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced on Friday a plan to eliminate 5,200 probationary positions across various agencies, including the FDA. This action coincides with broader efforts by the Trump administration to reduce the federal workforce.

Recent hires at the FDA, many involved in the review of food, medical devices, and tobacco products, received termination notices on Saturday. These firings were reported by three staff members who requested anonymity due to restrictions on public comments.

While the exact number of terminated positions remains unclear, reports suggest a concentration of layoffs within the FDA’s food safety and tobacco regulatory sectors. It’s uncertain whether positions in drug review processes were similarly affected.

Approximately 1,300 positions at the CDC are also reportedly on the chopping block. As of Sunday, about 700 people had already received notices, excluding those associated with the Epidemic Intelligence Service, which consists of disease-tracking doctors and researchers.

With nearly 20,000 employees, the FDA has been a focal point of criticism from Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., who has previously accused the agency of compromising public health by not approving certain unproven treatments. Kennedy’s stance includes calls to eliminate various chemicals and colorings in U.S. foods, further complicating the landscape of food safety oversight.

Former FDA officials have criticized the firings, suggesting that cutting newer hires may ultimately harm the agency’s functional capabilities. These recent hires, often younger, bring updated technical skills that are vital for adapting to modern challenges. Indeed, workforce retention and recruitment have long posed challenges for the FDA, especially as competing private sector opportunities attract talent.

According to Peter Pitts, a former associate commissioner, the influx of new perspectives and innovative ideas is critical for the agency’s progress. In contrast, Mitch Zeller, the former director for tobacco, expressed concerns that these firings would undermine federal workforce morale and hinder the government’s ability to attract skilled employees.

The FDA’s responsibilities have expanded as its inspection workforce faces significant strain from the pandemic and resulting staff departures. Reports indicate that many inspectors at the agency are recent hires, though it is not yet determined whether their positions are secure amidst the layoffs.

FDA inspectors play a crucial role in monitoring thousands of facilities globally. Unfortunately, a backlog of roughly 2,000 uninspected drug facilities from before the pandemic continues to pose challenges, alongside criticism surrounding delays in addressing safety issues at plants producing critical baby products.


Continue Reading
Click to comment
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments