FDA Expected to Weather Major Changes During Presidential Transition

During the coming transfer of political power, the FDA will survive major changes despite strong rhetoric and vague promises for reform, said a long-time FDA insider.

Until a new commissioner is confirmed by the Senate, the agency will most likely defer or postpone large policy decisions or dramatic product approvals, said Steven Grossman, former deputy assistant secretary for health at HHS.

President-elect Donald Trump has not clearly outlined his policy for the FDA, but has made several campaign promises that could have a large effect — namely repealing two regulations across government for every one proposed — as well as freezing the hiring of new federal workers, which would leave the agency with hundreds of job vacancies in a workforce of about 15,000. Grossman spoke at an FDAnews webinar. — Conor Hale