The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is struggling to ensure the safety of food and drugs due to staff cuts, which have resulted in reduced support for inspectors. In March, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the elimination of thousands of jobs from federal health agencies, but spared FDA inspectors. However, key support staffers who handled travel arrangements, reimbursements, and other tasks were let go.
The loss of these support staff could lead to longer inspection times, as inspectors now need to handle trip logistics themselves. This can delay inspections, potentially compromising the safety of products like baby formula, eye drops, and generic drugs. In fact, some products have had manufacturing problems that led to recalls in recent years, resulting in injuries or deaths.
The FDA has struggled to retain staff since the COVID-19 pandemic, with a vacancy rate among investigators jumping from 9% to 16%. The agency’s performance on foreign and domestic food inspections also fell short of its goals in 2018. Inspectors are now facing uncertainty due to reduced funding, which can affect their ability to pay expenses.
A former FDA inspector, Peter Baker, warned that the quality of inspections will likely decrease, putting public health at risk. “The patients that are most vulnerable, such as young children and older people, are going to bear the consequences,” he said.
The impact on international inspection trips is particularly significant, with some costing over $10,000 and requiring weeks of travel. Inspectors now need to obtain prior approval for credit limit raises, making it difficult to manage expenses. The situation has raised concerns about the FDA’s ability to ensure product safety, particularly in countries like China and India where many generic products are manufactured.
The agency’s performance on inspection goals is a concern, and the impact of reduced funding on inspectors’ work should be closely monitored to prevent potential harm to public health.
Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/04/18/nx-s1-5364544/fda-inspections-layoffs-food-and-drug-supply-less-safe