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How Can FDA Avoid Political Interference? More Independence, Fewer Appointees, GAO Says

 
• By Brenda Sandburg

Former agency heads and outside experts suggest structural reforms in interviews with GAO. Report notes FDA had 10 political appointees in 2020 versus 5 in 2016 and 3 in 2022. House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis describes Trump Administration actions against FDA in its final report.

Political interference
Former FDA heads suggest ways to prevent political interference in agency actions • Source: Shutterstock

In response to allegations of political interference in the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the General Accounting Office asked the leaders of four agencies what could be done to insulate them from unwanted influence. Former heads of the Food and Drug Administration suggested two changes for the FDA: converting it into an independent agency and reducing the number of its political appointees.

The recommendations reflect the long-standing desires of many public health officials that nevertheless stand little chance of being enacted.

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