Leadership

People On The Move: Appointments At GSCF, Kenvue, Barentz

 
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A round-up of the latest consumer health industry appointments: GSCF elects chair; Kenvue hires Northern Europe head; Barentz names chief commercial officer.

US FDA Survives First Day Of Return To In-Office Work, But True Test Upcoming

 

Parking and security at the FDA’s White Oak headquarters were strained from the influx of employees who had to report to work in person on 17 March.

Kennedy’s Pullback of Public Comment Policy Make May Rules Vulnerable to Lawsuits

 

The Health and Human Services Department's decision to eliminate the Richardson Waiver may be a blow for transparency, but will not completely eliminate scrutiny of regulations, experts said.

GOP Hill Staffer Joins US FDA As Senior Advisor, But Competing With MAHA For Legislative Position

 

Industry likely wants Grace Graham to take the FDA’s top policy and legislative role, but she may be passed over for someone more tied to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s interests.


US Consumer Health Market Executive Moves: Vitamin Angels, Scholl’s Wellness, Prinova

 

Veteran pharma executive leads Vitamin Angels; CEO change to lead unifying Dr. Scholl's brand worldwide; and first CEO change for Prinova in 42 years.

US FDA Reviewers, Inspectors Not Eligible For HHS Buyouts

 

The $25,000 buyout, in addition to the early retirement program and layoffs, is intended to reduce the size of the HHS workforce.

Over The Counter: Women’s Health Innovation And Beyond, With Maxwellia’s Anna Maxwell

 
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HBW Insight catches up with Maxwellia CEO Anna Maxwell to discuss her company's journey so far, and what she sees as the opportunities for Rx-to-OTC switch in UK women's health and beyond.

Senate Committee Grilling Preps US FDA Commissioner Nominee For Confirmation

 

HELP Committee members pepper Martin Makary with questions about his investments and potential conflicts of interest as commissioner. Makary’s transparency extends to saying FDA should “use common sense to ask some big questions we've never asked before,” including making more medical products available OTC.


HHS Offers Early Retirement To US FDA, Other Employees With More Layoff Plans Coming

 

The Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) plan would make many FDA employees with 20 or more years of service eligible for retirement, potentially increasing senior staff departures as the agency develops more layoff plans.

Over The Counter: The Challenge Of Innovating In A Changing OTC Industry With AdverCheck’s James Walmsley

 
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Advercheck managing director James Walmsley talks to HBW Insight about the challenges facing consumer health companies today as they move away from the prescription medicines sector and its pipeline of switchable ingredients towards self-care and prevention.

Old Problem Of Drugs In Supplements Welcomes US FDA’s Acting Food Chief To New Program

 

Kyle Diamantas was a partner with the Jones Day firm when he was tabbed as acting deputy commissioner to lead the FDA’s Human Foods Program, established in the agency’s reorganization which became effective in October.

Drug Reviewers And Legal Staff Among Those Called Back to US FDA, But Why?

 

Like the layoffs, the reason for the recalls of some laid off CDER and Office of Chief Counsel staff remains unclear.


‘New’ FTC Will Issue Less Guidance, Move Away From Penalty Offense Authority – BBB National Programs Policy Chief

 

FTC under Chairman Andrew Ferguson is likely to be defined by less rules and guidance and a focus on enforcing laws already on the books, says BBB National Programs’ Exec VP, Policy, Mary Engle.

FDA’s New Chief Counsel Robert Foster Brings Pandemic Response, Biotech Experience

 
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Foster, an advisor to the HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response during the COVID-19 pandemic and counsel to the Senate HELP Committee, also served in various legal roles at small biotech companies. He replaces agency veteran Mark Raza.

Layoffs At US FDA: Agency’s Food Programs Remain Effective, Or Product Safety Threatened?

 

Supplement industry trade groups and an attorney offer differing views of impact from layoffs imposed by White House’s “Department of Government Efficiency” reportedly numbering as many as 700. They agree layoffs, reported as some 700 across the agency with its food safety programs particularly hit, will affect FDA’s work, but not on whether it will be able to fulfill its responsibilities.

Some Laid Off Employees Called Back At US FDA

 

Some FDA employees who were recently laid off by the Trump Administration are being called back to work, multiple sources confirmed to the Pink Sheet.


Thinner FDA Available To Work With Industries On Strengthening Access To Consumer Health Products

 

As many as 700 employees reportedly dismissed from posts starting on 14 February as the culling of the federal workforce by the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency reaches FDA.

US FDA’s Top Food Safety Executive Resigns In Protest Of White House-Ordered Layoffs

 

Jim Jones resigna due to widespread layoffs at the agency the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency imposed.

Commission Led By HHS Secretary Kennedy Will Probe ‘Threats’ To Children, Including Medicines

 
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President Trump's Executive Order creating the commission names mental health and weight-loss drugs as treatments of concern. But it does not mention vaccines, which Kennedy has criticized.

Consumer Health Sector Anxious To Ask For Changes With Kennedy As HHS Secretary

 

Trade groups say they welcome working with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on expanding and improving consumer access to OTC drugs and dietary supplements. White House “Department of Government Efficiency Workforce Optimization Initiative” limits filling federal agency vacancies.