STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Trump picks for FDA and NIH, an FDA office crunch, and more
In today's Pharmalittle roundup, an FDA office crunch, Trump's health agency picks advance to a full Senate vote, and more.
And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda is, so far at least, rather modest. We plan to socialize a bit, spend time with a short person, promenade the official mascots, and squeeze in another listening party, where the rotation will likely include this, this, this, this and this. And what about you? Spring is springing all over, so this may be a nice time to explore the great outdoors. If not, you could take in a moving picture or sample an eatery or two. Another idea: reconnect with someone who matters. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time, but be safe. Enjoy, and see you soon …
The Senate health committee voted on Thursday to endorse Marty Makary as Food and Drug Administration commissioner and Jay Bhattacharya as director of the National Institutes of Health, STAT says. The committee voted 14-9 to advance Makary, with Democratic senators Maggie Hassan (N.H.) and John Hickenlooper (Colo.) joining Republicans. The vote for Bhattacharaya was 12-11 along party lines. The next step for the nominees is a vote by the full Senate, where a GOP majority all but ensures they will be confirmed. Makary and Bhattacharya both largely breezed through Senate confirmation hearings, but they still have their work cut out for them as they work to implement President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again agenda.
The FDA told staff this week it cannot guarantee workspaces or parking spots when they return to their offices en masse on Monday as required, raising concerns of further disruption at the agency, Reuters writes. The warnings were issued in at least three separate division meetings, according to transcripts of the meetings seen by Reuters, as most of the FDA’s roughly 18,000 employees prepare to start full-time office work. In Thursday’s meeting, Jacqueline Corrigan-Curay, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said plans for coming layoffs were being made by the Department of Health and Human Services with input from acting FDA commissioner Sara Brenner. She said Brenner was an advocate for the FDA who understands user fees and the unique skill set of the agency’s employees. U.S. federal agencies including HHS, which oversees the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are due to submit layoff plans to the Trump administration on Thursday.
