Thousands of employees at the Food and Drug Administration are facing layoffs or furloughs if Congress does not take action by the end of the month, though lawmakers remain divided on how to move forward.
FDA’s authorization to collect user fees from pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers and other entities, which fund the agency’s inspections and oversight of medical products, is set to expire Sept. 30. Without reauthorization, which must occur every five years, FDA officials have warned that employees whose salaries are funded by the fees could face reductions in force or furloughs. The House has passed bipartisan legislation to address the situation and the Senate has moved a similar bill, but late disagreements have held up final passage.
In a message to employees last month, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said congressional inaction would spark a “notification process” for impacted staff. He said that personnel in the prescription drug program would be the first to feel the strain of the funding crisis, though it may be able to stay afloat with carryover funds for up to five weeks past the deadline. Califf said he has been meeting with congressional staff to stress the urgency of action, though he noted his office is exploring “all potential options and scenarios” if lawmakers fail to pass the required legislation.
“The resources provided also include direct funding for many staff positions across the agency,” Califf said. “Therefore, the timely...
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