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US FDA’s Unapproved Drug Initiative Nixed, But Without Agency Buy-In Demise May Be Short-Lived

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

Trump administration effort to reduce drug prices by curtailing agency program requiring new approvals for some old products undermines FDA’s role in policing the safety of prescription drugs, experts say.

Conceptual hand writing showing FDA Approved.
HHS halts FDA program that encourages marketing approval of old drugs • Source: Shutterstock

The US Department of Health and Human Services is ending the Food and Drug Administration’s Unapproved Drugs Initiative in an effort to tackle the cost of prescription drugs, arguing the program has led to spikes in drug prices and shortages.

The administration is also considering whether more drugs should be exempt from FDA’s approval process – a move that could...

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More from US FDA

Double Duty At US FDA: Tidmarsh Will Temporarily Lead Both CDER And CBER

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

Just a week and a half into his tenure at the agency, the new CDER Director George Tidmarsh was also tapped to serve as acting head of CBER. Prasad’s swift ouster at CBER may point to a softening in cell and gene therapy regulation but could also portend even more scrutiny on vaccines.

NDA User Fees Will Grow 8.6% Next Year As FDA Projects More Applications But Fewer Sponsor Meetings

 
• By Nielsen Hobbs and Derrick Gingery

The ups – and some downs – of the US FDA’s prescription, biosimilar, and generic user fees for FY 2026 are tabulated by the Pink Sheet.

Vinay Prasad Out At US FDA

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

The removal of CBER Director Prasad comes after a wave of right-wing backlash to his appointment over the past few days that was also critical of his decision to ask Sarepta to suspend all sales of the DMD gene therapy Elevidys. FDA reversed its decision the day before Parsad's departure.

Sarepta Will Resume US Elevidys Shipments For Ambulatory DMD Patients After FDA Reverses Course

 
• By Mandy Jackson

The FDA recommended removal of a voluntary hold on shipments of the gene therapy to younger patients after finding that the death of an 8-year-old boy in Brazil was unrelated to Elevidys. Discussions on safety of DMD treatment for non-ambulatory patients is ongoing.

More from Agency Leadership

New South Korea Health Minister Vows ‘People-Centric’ Medical System

 
• By Jung Won Shin

In line with new President Lee’s campaign pledges, South Korea's newly confirmed health minister is expected to tackle key issues including a prolonged doctors' conflict, essential drug supplies and R&D support for the industry.

Vinay Prasad Out At US FDA

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

The removal of CBER Director Prasad comes after a wave of right-wing backlash to his appointment over the past few days that was also critical of his decision to ask Sarepta to suspend all sales of the DMD gene therapy Elevidys. FDA reversed its decision the day before Parsad's departure.

Sarepta Will Resume US Elevidys Shipments For Ambulatory DMD Patients After FDA Reverses Course

 
• By Mandy Jackson

The FDA recommended removal of a voluntary hold on shipments of the gene therapy to younger patients after finding that the death of an 8-year-old boy in Brazil was unrelated to Elevidys. Discussions on safety of DMD treatment for non-ambulatory patients is ongoing.