September 14, 2007
Von Eschenbach Issues Veiled Threat of Layoffs
Food and Drug Administration commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach late this afternoon updated employees on the status of negotiations on the FDA reform bill, which contains reauthorization of the drug and device user fees that fund a substantial portion of the agency. Though failure to pass user fee reauthorization bills before the fiscal year runs out (October 1) has never resulted in layoffs in the past, the commissioner raised that specter in his email:
No one underestimates or fails to appreciate the disruption and demoralizing impact that even the threat of a RIF is having on you and your families. We all have our responsibilities and roles in seeing that this does not occur, and we at FDA will be fully responsive to Congress at every moment to help facilitate prompt passage of this essential legislation.
Von Eschenbach said next Friday represented the deadline for passing for bill.
Posted by gooznews at September 14, 2007 07:32 PMI never heard of a federal program dying or being "pruned" by accident.I am not a huge Regan fan but this is supposedly a quote from the Gipper: "No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! "
If someone wants to weaken the FDA, rest assured a special interest has a benefit in seeing it happen. There are complaints that the FDA receives too much financial support from the companys that seek approval for drugs and medical devices.
Posted by: sam at September 16, 2007 01:34 AM