The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has rehired over 20 recently fired employees, including those who handled travel bookings for safety inspectors. However, many other workers remain in limbo, awaiting confirmation of their reinstatement.
More than 100 staff members who process agency records were previously eliminated, but the FDA is now bringing back a significant number of them due to missed court-ordered deadlines and potential fines.
The FDA’s workforce has been reduced by an estimated 20%, affecting around 3,500 jobs. The agency had previously laid off about 700 provisional employees in February, only to rehire many of them after industry and Congress pushed back.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has repeatedly denied that any scientists were fired during the reductions, but at least two dozen food scientists were let go in March. In recent days, around 15 scientists working in a Chicago research center have been told they will be reinstated, but no written confirmation has been received yet.
The agency’s core responsibilities remain intact, with over 15,000 employees across US and foreign offices reviewing new drugs, medical products, and food ingredients, as well as inspecting factories. The FDA is expected to continue its efforts despite the uncertainty surrounding some of its staff members’ reinstatement.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/fda-staff-cuts-inspections-safety-b2b9bcc71b647afe896fe331f89cfd6c