The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reinstated hundreds of medical device reviewers just weeks after mass firings, following pressure from industry lobbyists. The move comes as part of President Donald Trump’s cost-cutting efforts, which have resulted in several agencies firing and then re-hiring employees.
According to sources, the FDA’s Office of Talent Solutions notified staff that their terminations had been “rescinded effective immediately” on Friday night. This reversal affects around 220 medical device reviewers, who were let go as part of a broader cost-cutting effort.
Industry leaders have pushed back against the firings, warning that the cuts would result in slower approvals for companies and fewer new treatment options for patients. The AdvaMed trade group said it was “encouraging to see a shift” towards recognizing the critical expertise of these staffers.
While some reviewers were reinstated, other areas of the agency did not receive similar support. The FDA’s tobacco center, which reviews electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches, is 100% funded by industry fees but has not seen any rehiring efforts.
The FDA’s food program also remains largely unaffected, with its recent restructuring aimed at better overseeing essential products like infant formula and baby food. However, the agency’s deputy commissioner for foods, Jim Jones, recently resigned citing “the indiscriminate firing” of nearly 90 staffers in his division.
The reinstatement of medical device reviewers is seen as a significant shift in the FDA’s approach to cost-cutting. With many reviewers having advanced degrees in specialized fields and higher earning potential in the private sector, their return could help stabilize key areas of the agency.
Source: https://fortune.com/2025/02/24/fda-rehiring-entire-teams-medical-devices-doge-trump-job-cuts