Barrett Tenbarge Provides Insights on FDA Staffing Cuts for Chemical & Engineering News

In the Chemical and Engineering News article, “How Will FDA Changes Reshape Drug Approval in 2025 and Beyond?” government and regulatory partner Barrett Tenbarge offered comments about how the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approach to drug policy is shifting after a 20 percent reduction in force.

Tenbarge said that staffing cuts to the FDA could lead to struggles meeting expectations set by a recent executive order requiring regulators to rescind 10 regulations for every new one they introduce, noting that the “offices of policy throughout the FDA that were reportedly subject to cuts are responsible for driving the details of new regulations and guidance documents.” Further, Tenbarge said that cuts in bandwidth for FDA offices could lead regulators to delays in new drug development.

“Product-specific guidance documents are a critical tool that FDA uses to help get generic drugs to patients faster,” Tenbarge noted.