Recent cuts to FDA support staff have raised concerns about the safety of food and drug inspections. Although inspectors were spared layoffs, key support roles handling travel logistics and reimbursements were eliminated. This has led to delays and cancellations of critical inspections, particularly for factories producing items like baby formula and generic drugs.
Inspectors now face the added burden of arranging their own travel, which is especially challenging for international trips requiring visas and complex itineraries. These cuts come amid existing staffing shortages, with vacancy rates among inspectors rising from 9% to 16% since November 2021.
Experts warn that reduced inspections could compromise public health, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. The FDA’s ability to ensure quality control in foreign manufacturing facilities, especially in countries like China and India, is seen as crucial for maintaining drug safety standards.
— new from NPR
