Senators Quiz FDA on Safety of Chinese Products

Two senators urged FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn to ensure that drugs, devices and food imported from China remain safe during the coronavirus outbreak.

Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who gave the agency a Feb. 18 deadline to respond, asked Hahn if the FDA has the resources to make sure that the coronavirus does not impact America’s supply of drug, medical devices, and food imported from China. They also asked how many FDA personnel are still in China to conduct inspections of facilities manufacturing drugs, devices, and foods for export to the U.S.

The senators also asked how the virus has impacted the agency’s inspection schedule for the 2020 calendar year, and how it is coordinating with companies to monitor the safety and supply of products manufactured in China.