WASHINGTON (AP) — Following Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s announcement of job cuts at his department, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has begun hiring contractors to replace some of the fired staff who supported safety inspectors. The cuts have affected dozens of employees, including those responsible for booking international trips to pharmaceutical plants, lab scientists testing food samples for contamination, and communication specialists handling urgent safety recalls.
The FDA’s inspection force has been under strain for years due to a wave of resignations and retirements during the pandemic. Recruitment efforts have been hindered by demanding travel schedules, modest pay, and challenging overseas conditions. Howard Sklamberg, a former top inspection and enforcement official at the FDA, noted that reducing support staff will naturally lead to fewer inspections.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary stated that the cuts did not affect scientific reviewers, inspectors, or law enforcement personnel. However, the union representing FDA staff criticized the decision as reckless and a risk to human life. An HHS spokesperson claimed the cuts only impacted administrative positions and would improve agency efficiency.
The Government Accountability Office has urged the FDA to develop strategies for retaining inspectors, as attrition has outpaced hiring for years. As a result, the FDA is conducting 36% fewer inspections than before the pandemic. The elimination of roles that support stricter regulation of food additives and chemicals has also raised concerns.
Remaining staff are now handling critical tasks previously performed by their fired colleagues, including public communications about safety issues. With the elimination of the media affairs office, communication work is now scattered across various centers within the agency.
— new from AP News