Trump’s FDA Staff Cuts Weigh on Agency’s Drug Oversight Work

The Trump administration’s moves to shrink the federal workforce put the FDA’s ability to regulate drugs and oversee the pharmaceutical industry at risk, according to current and former agency employees.

President Donald Trump‘s efforts to reduce the size of the US government is taking a toll on the Food and Drug Administration after the firing of probationary staff, offers of early retirement or buyouts, and an executive order requiring agencies to prepare for “large-scale” reductions in force.

Pharmaceutical companies pay millions of dollars to the FDA to uphold its “gold standard” drug review process so that drugs are safe ...