STAT+: With the FDA in turmoil, the ‘revolving door’ with industry is spinning faster
HHS Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has railed against a “revolving door” between drug companies and the FDA. But HHS' actions now seem to be causing that door to spin faster.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has railed against what he sees as a “revolving door” between workers at drug companies and the Food and Drug Administration. But his department’s actions now seem to be causing that door to spin ever faster.
Scores of FDA employees are searching for an exit from an agency in turmoil, particularly staff members tasked with reviewing drug applications, according to interviews with former employees and industry recruiters. Many of those joining the exodus were protected from the layoffs that hit the agency earlier this month, but their work environment has become morose, and cuts to other departments are making it more difficult to do their jobs.
As many as 600 drug reviewers have recused themselves from approval processes because they’re interviewing with pharma companies, former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb estimated during an appearance on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” earlier this week. These staff members oversee applications for new medicines and are partially funded through user fees that the FDA collects from drug companies.
