Recent staff reductions at the Food and Drug Governance (FDA) may undermine efforts to promote transparency in the agency’s regulatory processes. These concerns arise after HHS fired 3,500 workers at the FDA in April, impacting advisory committee operations [1].

FDA Layoffs Imperiling Makary’s Bid to End Conflicts of Interest

Before assuming his role at the FDA, Marty Makary advocated for regular, open meetings involving independent panels to advise the agency on notable regulatory decisions. However, his pursuit of “radical transparency” faces potential setbacks due to the recent staff cuts.These cuts have affected the ability of panel members to effectively organize and conduct meetings, as well as thoroughly address potential conflicts of interest among committee participants.

The situation began in April, when HHS fired a significant number of FDA employees. the advisory committee staff,including the drug center’s conflict of interest team,experienced significant losses. Consequently, meetings are being delayed, and conflict of interest screenings are now being managed by lawyers within the commissioner’s office. According to one agency ethics official, “He’s making these broad public statements but nothing has changed internally except for the lack of staff that woudl handle those issues.”

“He’s making these broad public statements but nothing has changed internally except for the lack of staff that would handle those issues.”